Val Kilmer’s Daughter Defends AI Recreation in New Film
Mercedes Kilmer, daughter of the late actor Val Kilmer, has publicly supported the apply of artificial intelligence to recreate her father’s image and voice in the upcoming film, “As Deep as the Grave.” The decision has sparked debate regarding the ethics of posthumous performances and the use of AI in Hollywood.
Kilmer’s Vision for AI and Actor Rights
According to an interview with TODAY on April 29, 2026, Mercedes Kilmer explained that her father “wanted to do this” to establish “structures for actors to own their licensing and to have rights.” She further elaborated that Val Kilmer was passionate about ensuring actors receive fair compensation when AI is used to replicate their likeness, stating, “My dad was very passionate that this is the time, before these laws are written, to make sure that there’s a structure for compensation, to make sure that actors get paid on par with what they would get paid if they were physically doing it and if it creates more jobs in that way, that’s wonderful.”
Production Challenges and AI Implementation
Val Kilmer was initially offered the role of Father Fintan, a priest and Native American spiritualist, in 2018. However, production faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. As Kilmer’s health declined following a decade-long battle with throat cancer, which impacted his ability to speak, filmmakers turned to AI technology to allow him to complete his role. The AI recreation utilized recordings of Kilmer’s voice, archival footage, and family photos.
Previous Use of AI in Kilmer’s Perform
This is not the first time AI has been used to recreate Val Kilmer’s voice. In 2022, artificial intelligence was employed to recreate his voice for a scene in “Top Gun: Maverick,” allowing him to share a poignant moment with Tom Cruise’s character.
A Historic Precedent
Mercedes Kilmer views her father’s involvement in “As Deep as the Grave” as a “historic precedent,” expressing her pride in his foresight. She believes the project evolved from overcoming the limitations of his illness into an opportunity to shape the future of actor rights and AI usage in the film industry.
Val Kilmer’s Passing
Val Kilmer passed away in April 2025 at the age of 65 from pneumonia, following his long struggle with throat cancer.
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