AI-Generated Val Kilmer Movie Debuts Trailer at CinemaCon The filmmakers behind As Deep as the Grave, an indie film featuring an artificial intelligence-rendered version of late actor Val Kilmer, premiered a trailer at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The project, which uses generative AI to recreate Kilmer in a central role, has sparked debate about the ethical and artistic implications of resurrecting a deceased performer. Kilmer, who died in 2025 at age 65 from pneumonia, appears as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, in the film’s trailer. The character’s final line—“Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me”—echoes Kilmer’s on-screen presence, even as the film navigates the complexities of his digital resurrection. The film, based on the real-life work of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, is a historical drama that initially relied on Kilmer’s involvement. However, the actor withdrew due to health complications, forcing the production team to adapt. Coerte Voorhees, the film’s writer-director, and his brother John, the producer, revealed that they decided to proceed with the role without Kilmer, despite the challenges of reshoots and delays caused by the pandemic. The production began in New Mexico in late 2020, marking one of the earliest attempts to shoot during the global health crisis. The decision to use AI to recreate Kilmer’s performance became a contentious topic when the project was first announced. The Voorhees brothers addressed the controversy on a panel at CinemaCon, emphasizing their commitment to ethical practices. They explained that the process involved collaboration with Kilmer’s children, Mercedes and Jack, as well as adherence to guidelines from the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).#sag_aftra #mercedes_kilmer #val_kilmer #cinemacon #john_voorhees
