Val Kilmer will appear on screen in a new film even though he never shot a scene for it. The indie drama As Deep as the Grave used generative AI to recreate the late actor’s likeness and audio; his family approved the decision and the estate was paid. The announcement raises fresh debates about consent, technology and acting after Kilmer’s death in April 2025.
What happened — who, what, when
Director and writer Coerte Voorhees told Variety on March 18 that the production used AI to bring Kilmer into As Deep as the Grave as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritual figure. Kilmer was cast for the role about five years ago but was unable to film because of his long battle with throat cancer. He died in April 2025 at age 65.
How the AI was created
The filmmakers combined family-supplied photos and archival video of Kilmer with generative-image technology and audio modelling to recreate his performance. The production shared an image of the AI-generated Kilmer with Variety, and sources say the estate received compensation for the actor’s inclusion.
Family and filmmakers defend the decision
Voorhees said the project was tailored to Kilmer and that his family repeatedly told the production the film mattered to him. “His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this,” Voorhees told Variety. “Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”
Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes issued a statement framing the move as consistent with her father’s openness to technology: “[Kilmer] always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling,” she said, adding that the family felt they were honoring his spirit.
Why this matters now
Studios and unions are grappling with generative AI across film and television. The SAG-AFTRA union fought for protections after a strike that exceeded 100 days; current agreements now require clear consent and compensation for AI use, and ongoing negotiations could expand those safeguards. Kilmer’s inclusion tests how those rules are applied when a principal performer dies during production.
Context and precedent
Kilmer had previously worked with AI-like technologies: in 2021 he partnered with a company to model his voice from archival audio. Other projects have used digital likenesses and voice recreation, prompting industry-wide debates over ethics, credit and residuals.
Industry and audience response
Reactions are mixed: some creative teams praise the technique as a storytelling tool and a way to preserve an artist’s final wishes, while some actors and labor advocates warn about misuse. As Deep as the Grave’s director and producer argue the choice was ethical, that it followed guild guidelines and that Kilmer’s family supported it.
What’s next
The film — an exploration of Southwestern archaeologists working with Navajo communities and starring Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton and Abigail Breslin — does not yet have a release date. For viewers and the industry, the movie will be a closely watched case study in how generative AI and legacy performers intersect on screen.