Val Kilmer is returning to the big screen in a posthumous performance generated entirely by artificial intelligence, a development that pushes the boundaries of technology in filmmaking. The first trailer for the historical drama "As Deep as the Grave," unveiled at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, features a "digitally recreated likeness" of the late actor, who died in 2025. The project represents a significant leap from prior uses of AI for voice synthesis, creating a complete, on-screen character for what filmmakers say is more than an hour of screen time, and setting a new precedent for posthumous performances.
How Generative AI Brought Kilmer Back to the Screen
Kilmer was originally cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, five years before his death, but his battle with throat cancer made him too ill to ever make it to the set. According to the film’s writer and director, Coerte Voorhees, the role was "very much designed around him," drawing on Kilmer's own Native American heritage and his love for the Southwest. The independent production faced significant hurdles, including shutdowns from the COVID-19 pandemic that stretched its timeline to six years.
Initially, the filmmakers cut scenes involving Father Fintan due to budget and time constraints. However, upon reviewing the footage, they realized the character was a "major missing element" essential to the narrative. "Normally we would just recast an actor," Voorhees explained to Variety. "But we can’t roll camera again. We don’t have the budget. We’re not a big studio film." This led them to an innovative solution. With the full approval of Kilmer's estate, the production used generative AI to complete the performance. According to IndieWire, the AI model was developed by studying Kilmer's work in past films, specifically "Heat" and "Batman Forever," while other reports note the family provided archival and behind-the-scenes footage to aid in the creation of his digital likeness.
