US EditionAn AI-generated version of the late Val Kilmer is starring in a new movie
Val Kilmer’s estate approved AI to recreate his voice and likeness for a significant role in As Deep as the Grave, using images and footage from his younger years.
- Kilmer's estate and family supported filmmakers' use of AI to include him in As Deep as the Grave, with Kilmer being recreated after his death last year.
- Five years before his death, Val Kilmer was cast but too ill from throat cancer to film, and COVID pandemic delays stretched As Deep as the Grave’s indie production to six years.
- The filmmakers combined younger images from Kilmer's family with footage from his final years and used AI-generated audio reflecting his damaged vocal condition, enabled by Sonantic.
- The filmmakers say they followed SAG guidelines and compensated Kilmer's estate, while producers are seeking distribution with hopes of releasing the film this year amid possible industry criticism.
- As an industry context, archival recreations have precedent, with Carrie Fisher's 2019 scenes and 'Tilly Norwood' prompting union criticism earlier this month, while Kilmer's death last year at age 65 frames this AI work as part of his legacy.
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196 Articles
Madrid. American actor Val Kilmer, who died in April 2025 at the age of 65 from throat cancer, will return to the big screen thanks to artificial intelligence (IA) in the film As Deep as the Grave, directed by Coerte Voorhees, announced the producer of the film First Line Films in Variety.
After death, Val Kilmer returned to the large screen with the help of artificial intelligence. Still, the false charge of aggression against the manufacturer Ico Costa.
AI to Revive Val Kilmer for New Movie 'As Deep as the Grave'
Photo Credit: EuropaNewswire/Gado via Getty Images Late Batman Forever star Val Kilmer was brought to life on screen via AI. Kilmer passed away on April 1, 2025, and his fans, industry colleagues, and well-wishers mourned his unfortunate death. Interestingly, five years prior to his death, Kilmer was cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest in the film As Deep as the Grave. However, the actor was battling throat cancer and couldn’t make it to th…
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