Val Kilmer, the celebrated actor whose career spanned decades and included iconic roles in films like “Top Gun” and “Tombstone,” is set to return to the screen in a groundbreaking and, for some, controversial way. Nearly a year after his death on April 1, 2025, at age 65 following a battle with throat cancer, Kilmer will appear in the upcoming drama “As Deep as the Grave,” thanks to the use of state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence. The project marks a significant moment in the evolving intersection of technology and Hollywood, raising questions about the future of performance and the preservation of artistic legacies.
The film, directed and written by Coerte Voorhees, utilizes photos, footage, and audio recordings of Kilmer—obtained with the permission of his estate and family—to recreate the actor in a “significant” portion of the movie, according to Voorhees. Kilmer will portray Father Fintan, a complex character described as both a Catholic priest and a Native American spiritualist. The role, Voorhees explained, was specifically conceived with Kilmer in mind, drawing on the actor’s known advocacy for Native American rights and his claimed Cherokee heritage.
A Role Years in the Making
The journey to bring “As Deep as the Grave” to life began five years before Kilmer’s passing. Voorhees had initially cast Kilmer in the role, but the actor’s deteriorating health due to his long struggle with throat cancer prevented him from participating in filming. “He was the actor I wanted to play this role,” Voorhees told Variety. “It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest.” Despite the setbacks, Voorhees remained committed to the project and to honoring Kilmer’s vision.
The film is based on the true story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, who conducted groundbreaking work with the Navajo people in the 1920s to uncover the Ancestral Puebloan civilization. The project was previously titled “Canyon Del Muerto” and has been in development since 2023. The cast includes Tom Felton as Earl Morris and Bafta winner Abigail Lawrie as Ann Morris, alongside Oscar winner Wes Studi and actor Jacob Fortune-Lloyd.
The Family’s Support and the Ethical Considerations
Crucially, the use of AI to resurrect Kilmer’s performance has been supported by his family. Voorhees shared that Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, and son, Jack (an actor himself, known for his role in 2018’s “Lord of Chaos”), both believed their father would have wanted to be involved in the film and gave their blessing to the project. “His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this,” Voorhees said. “He really thought it was an important story that he wanted his name on… Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”
The decision to employ AI to continue an actor’s performance after their death is not without ethical debate. The use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking is becoming increasingly prevalent. In 2024, Brady Corbet’s Oscar-winning film, “The Brutalist,” utilized AI to refine actor Adrien Brody’s Hungarian accent. More recently, in 2025, Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine entered into agreements with ElevenLabs, a startup specializing in AI voice replication.
Kilmer’s Legacy and the Future of AI in Film
This project arrives after the 2021 documentary “Val,” which offered an intimate portrait of Kilmer’s life and career through archive footage and voiceover narration by his son. That film provided a poignant look at the actor’s journey, including his battle with cancer. “As Deep as the Grave” represents a different kind of continuation, one that utilizes technology to allow Kilmer to inhabit a role he was passionate about but unable to complete in his lifetime.
The use of AI in this instance isn’t simply about recreating an image; it’s about attempting to capture a performance, a presence. Voorhees intends to use images of Kilmer from throughout his life to portray the character at different ages. The film’s approach to AI raises broader questions about the potential for technology to preserve and extend the work of artists, and the boundaries of digital resurrection. As AI continues to evolve, the debate surrounding its use in creative fields will undoubtedly intensify.
“As Deep as the Grave” is currently in post-production. Further details regarding the film’s release date and distribution will be announced in the coming months. The film’s producers have indicated they will continue to work closely with the Kilmer estate to ensure the project honors the actor’s legacy and artistic intentions.
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