Val Kilmer’s AI Resurrection in ‘As Deep as the Grave’ Sparks Debate

Nearly a year after his death in April 2025, Val Kilmer is set to appear in the upcoming film “As Deep as the Grave,” utilizing state-of-the-art generative AI technology. The film, a true story about Southwestern archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris and their excavations in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, marks a significant moment in the intersection of artificial intelligence and filmmaking, and has already ignited discussion about the ethical implications of digitally recreating deceased actors.

A Role Designed for Kilmer

Kilmer was originally cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, five years before his passing. However, his battle with throat cancer prevented him from filming any scenes. “He was the actor I wanted to play this role,” says Coerte Voorhees, the film’s writer and director. “It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest.” Variety reports that Voorhees even had Kilmer on a call sheet before his health deteriorated.

AI Brings the Vision to Life

Despite not shooting any footage, Voorhees was able to incorporate Kilmer into the film using AI, with the full cooperation of the actor’s estate and his children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer. The production utilized photos, footage, and audio recordings to create an AI likeness of Kilmer, appearing in “a significant part” of the finished film. The New York Times notes that the AI will portray the character at various stages of life.

A Parallel to Kilmer’s Condition

The filmmakers found a poignant connection between the character and Kilmer’s real-life struggles. “The character in the film also suffers from tuberculosis,” explains John Voorhees, the film’s producer and Coerte’s brother. “Again, this historical character mirrored Val’s actual condition when he was suffering from throat cancer. And so when it comes to the voice this is a really unique opportunity for the character to reflect the condition that the actor was actually suffering from, thus creating a kind of a bridge.”

Navigating Ethical Concerns

The use of AI to resurrect Kilmer has sparked debate within the creative community, raising concerns about job displacement and the unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses. Voorhees acknowledges the controversy but emphasizes that the decision was made with the support of Kilmer’s family and in accordance with SAG guidelines, with the estate being compensated for his appearance. Page Six highlights Voorhees describing the decision as “controversial.”

Kilmer’s Family Support

Mercedes Kilmer expressed her support for the film, stating that her father was “a deeply spiritual man” who would have resonated with the story’s themes of discovery and enlightenment, particularly given its setting in the American Southwest, where he resided. She added that he “always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling.”

Previous AI Collaboration

This isn’t Kilmer’s first experience with AI technology. In 2022, he partnered with Sonantic to create an AI-powered speaking voice for his reprisal of Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in “Top Gun: Maverick,” a role he was grateful to revisit despite his health challenges. He stated at the time, “As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the side effects from throat cancer have made it challenging for others to understand me.”

“As Deep as the Grave,” previously titled “Canyon of the Dead,” also stars Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin.