Val Kilmer's last role is quite unique. The late actor stars in "As Deep as the Grave," a film that was made with the approval of his daughter and features his likeness and voice, all possible due to the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
© WireImageThe film, written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, follows two archeologists, played by Abigail Breslin and Tom Felton, who unearth the remains of Ancestral Puebloans in the 1920s, with Kilmer playing the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist.
While Kilmer was cast before his death in 2025, he wasn't able to shoot his scenes due to his health. Vorhees recreated Kilmer's likeness and voice with AI, all with the approval of Kilmer's daughter, Mercedes Kilmer.
“When Val came on board the project five years ago, he immediately identified with the historical southwestern spiritual character of Father Fintan, and understood the importance of elevating awareness of Ann Morris’ incredible story as the first female archaeologist in North America,” said Voorhees in a statement.
© EuropaNewswire/Gado“It was very unfortunate that his health at the time prevented him from playing this role, which spoke to him spiritually and culturally.”
Mercedes Kilmer also shared a statement of her own. "He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling. This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.”
The use of AI in films remains a controversial topic, with many artists drawing criticism of AI performers and the use of their likeness without their approval. It's a subject that will continue to evolve over the years.
You can check out the trailer of "As Deep as the Grave" below.
More details about Val Kilmer's death
Val Kilmer was a beloved Hollywood actor, known for his work on numerous '80s classics, among them "Heat," "Top Gun," "Batman Forever," and more. He died on April 1st, 2025, at the age of 65.
According to his daughter, Kilmer died of pneumonia. He also battled throat cancer for years, being first diagnosed in 2014. She revealed that he ultimately recovered from the disease.
He was the subject of a documentary titled "Val," which came out in 2021, using decades of archival footage that explored his career, rise to fame, and his cancer battle.
© Getty Images
