‘As Deep as the Grave’ Trailer Debuts with Val Kilmer Recreated Through AI
A new trailer for the historical drama “As Deep as the Grave” has been shown at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, and it is getting attention for one major reason. The film uses AI to include actor Val Kilmer in the story, even though he passed away in 2025 after a battle with throat cancer.
The filmmakers say Kilmer was originally meant to play Father Fintan, a priest with a connection to Native American spirituality. He was unable to film the role before his health worsened. To keep him in the project, the team worked with his estate and his daughter Mercedes Kilmer and used AI tools to complete his performance.
The trailer shows Kilmer appearing in different forms and ages. Sometimes he looks older and ghost-like. Other times, he appears younger as a priest. In one scene, he speaks gently to a child and says, “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.”
First trailer for ‘AS DEEP AS THE GRAVE.’
— The Hollywood Handle (@HollywoodHandle) April 15, 2026
Val Kilmer has been resurrected via AI to star in the new movie. pic.twitter.com/Vagkpb2cBi
The movie follows the story of Ann Axtell Morris, an early female archaeologist, and her work at Canyon De Chelly in Arizona. The director, Coerte Voorhees, said the role was shaped with Kilmer in mind from the beginning. He explained, “It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest…His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this.”
Voorhees also shared at CinemaCon that Kilmer’s role is large and that he appears on screen for over an hour of the film.
The use of AI in this project has started debate in Hollywood. Some worry it could reduce acting jobs in the future. The filmmakers say they used the technology because they had no other way to complete Kilmer’s role and because they wanted to honor his connection to the story. They also say they followed industry rules and worked with Kilmer’s estate, which was paid for his appearance.
Mercedes Kilmer supported the project and said her father would have approved. She said, “He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling. This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.”
The trailer also shows large outdoor scenes, including desert landscapes, cliffside digs, wildlife in motion, and fast river crossings. The cast includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Wes Studi, and Finn Jones.
This film will get a lot of strong reactions. Using AI to recreate a real actor after death is a serious choice, even with family approval. Some people may see it as a way to finish a meaningful project. Others may feel uncomfortable with it. It raises big questions about where film technology is going. What do you think about this approach? Share your thoughts in the comments.