Val Kilmer will appear in the film "As Deep as the Grave" through a fully AI-generated performance, marking the first movie role created entirely with generative AI. The late actor's estate approved the production, which uses his likeness and voice to complete a role he was cast in five years before his death.

What Happened

Director Coerte Voorhees announced that Kilmer will star as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, in "As Deep as the Grave." Kilmer was originally cast around 2021 but was too ill from throat cancer to make it to set. He died in April 2025 at age 65.

The production team used generative AI to recreate both Kilmer's appearance and voice for the role. The film, previously titled "Canyon of the Dead," tells the true story of Southwestern archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris and their excavations in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. The cast includes Tom Felton, Wes Studi, Abigail Breslin, and Abigail Lawrie.

Kilmer's daughter Mercedes and his estate granted full permission for the AI recreation. Mercedes stated that her father "always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling."

Why It Matters

This is the first feature film where a lead performance is built entirely with generative AI rather than traditional CGI or deepfake compositing. The production sets a precedent for how posthumous AI performances can work within existing legal and union frameworks.

The project complies with California AB 1836, which protects posthumous digital likeness rights, and follows SAG-AFTRA guidelines for AI-generated performances. Kilmer's estate was compensated for his appearance.

Kilmer had previously worked with AI voice company Sonantic to recreate his voice for "Top Gun: Maverick" in 2022 after his tracheostomy damaged his natural voice. That earlier collaboration established a foundation for this more ambitious project.

Key Details

  • The production used younger images of Kilmer provided by his family alongside footage from his final years to portray the character across different life stages
  • The film has been in post-production for approximately three years
  • Release is expected in 2026
  • Variety reporters Brent Lang and Jazz Tangcay first broke the story

The announcement comes as Hollywood continues to grapple with AI's role in production. Steven Spielberg recently stated at SXSW that he has never used AI in his films, while Netflix invested $600 million in AI filmmaking startup Interpositive.

What to Do Next

Filmmakers and VFX professionals should study this production as a template for how estate-approved AI performances can proceed within current legal boundaries. The combination of California AB 1836 compliance, SAG-AFTRA adherence, and family authorization represents the cleanest path forward for posthumous AI work. For creators working with AI video tools, this signals growing acceptance of AI-generated performances in mainstream film, which could open doors for smaller-scale projects that previously lacked the budget for traditional CGI recreation.