Val Kilmer Returns to the Screen with AI-Powered Performance in ‘As Deep As The Grave’

Val Kilmer is set to appear in the upcoming drama As Deep As The Grave, marking what is being described as a final performance for the actor, made possible through the use of generative artificial intelligence. Kilmer, who passed away in April 2025 after a long battle with throat cancer , was originally cast in the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, prior to his illness.

A Role Designed for Kilmer

Director and writer Coerte Voorhees emphasized the personal connection to Kilmer, stating, “He was the actor I wanted to play this role.” Voorhees explained that the character was specifically crafted around Kilmer’s heritage and interests, drawing on his Native American ancestry and his affinity for the Southwest. Despite Kilmer being too ill to film scenes, Voorhees was determined to include him in the project.

AI Resurrection with Family Support

Working closely with Kilmer’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes, Voorhees utilized state-of-the-art generative AI to recreate Kilmer’s likeness and performance. Kilmer’s son, Jack, also expressed his support for the project. According to Voorhees, the family believed Kilmer would have wanted to be involved, recognizing the importance of the story. “Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted,” Voorhees said.

The Story Behind the Film

As Deep As The Grave, previously titled Canyon of the Dead, is based on the true story of Southwestern archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris and their perform with the Navajo people in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, during the 1920s. The film chronicles their efforts to trace the history of the Ancestral Puebloan civilization. Tom Felton and Abigail Lawrie will star as Earl and Ann Morris, respectively, with Wes Studi and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd also featured in supporting roles.

AI in Hollywood: A Growing Trend

The use of AI to recreate actors is becoming increasingly common in Hollywood. In 2024, AI was used to refine Adrien Brody’s accent in The Brutalist. Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine have also entered into agreements with AI voice companies. The 2021 documentary Val also utilized archive footage and voiceover from Kilmer’s son to share the actor’s life story.

The AI-generated version of Kilmer is expected to appear in a significant portion of As Deep As The Grave, with the film utilizing images of the actor from throughout his career to portray him across different ages.