Val Kilmer to Be “Resurrected” by AI for a Film He Was Cast in Before His Death.
Val Kilmer, who passed away in April 2025, will return to the screen in a groundbreaking — and controversial — use of artificial intelligence. The late actor will appear in As Deep as the Grave, a film he was originally cast in back in 2015 but was unable to shoot due to his declining health.
A Role Written for Kilmer
Director Coerte Voorhees revealed that Kilmer had been his first and only choice for the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritual guide. The character was crafted specifically with Kilmer in mind, but the actor’s battle with throat cancer prevented him from ever stepping in front of the camera.
“He was the actor I wanted to play this role,” Voorhees told Variety. “It was very much designed around him… He was going through a really tough time medically, and he couldn’t do it.”
Kilmer never filmed a single scene — yet he will now appear in the movie through a fully AI‑generated performance.
Val Kilmer resurrected by AI one year after his death for ‘As Deep as the Grave’ movie role https://t.co/xRPMTp2GkC pic.twitter.com/wGplYHiqaM
— Page Six (@PageSix) March 18, 2026
How the Digital Kilmer Was Created
The production team used:
- archival photos from Kilmer’s youth,
- footage from his later years,
- and advanced generative AI tools
to reconstruct his likeness. His family provided personal materials to help the digital recreation feel authentic.
The character’s struggle with tuberculosis mirrors Kilmer’s own health challenges, something the filmmakers say creates a “bridge” between the actor’s real-life condition and the fictional role. His voice, too, will be AI‑generated — a technique previously used with Kilmer’s approval in Top Gun: Maverick.
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Family Approval and Kilmer’s Own Views on Technology
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, released a statement supporting the project. She described her father as a “deeply spiritual man” who believed in the creative potential of emerging technologies.
“He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling,” she said. “This spirit is something we are all honoring within this film, of which he was an integral part.”
Before his death, Kilmer had spoken emotionally about hearing his AI‑restored voice in Top Gun: Maverick, calling it “an incredibly special gift.”
Read also: Dolly Parton Breaks Her Silence on Health Struggles and Life After Loss
Public Backlash and Ethical Debate
Despite the family’s blessing, the announcement has sparked intense backlash online. Critics argue that digitally reviving deceased actors crosses ethical boundaries, with some calling it “disturbing” or “exploitative.”
One viral post read: “You are free to create what you want and we are free to avoid it like the plague. In the rudest way possible, no thank you.”
Another user wrote: “‘Val really wanted to be a part of this’ — well, he can’t. He’s dead… having a computer reanimate his corpse for a paying audience is wrong.”
Voorhees, however, insists that the project honors Kilmer’s wishes. “He really thought it was an important story that he wanted his name on,” he said. “That support gave me the confidence to say, okay, let’s do this.”
A New Frontier for Hollywood
As Deep as the Grave is poised to become one of the most high‑profile examples of AI‑assisted “resurrection” in cinema — a trend that continues to divide audiences, artists, and ethicists alike.
Whether the film will be seen as a respectful tribute or a troubling step into the uncanny valley remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: Val Kilmer’s legacy continues to spark conversation, even after his passing.