Actor Val Kilmer will appear on screen after his death in what producers describe as a groundbreaking performance created using generative artificial intelligence in the upcoming film «As Deep as the Grave.»
Kilmer, known for roles in «Top Gun,» «The Doors» and «Batman Forever,» had been cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest with ties to Native American spirituality. However, he was unable to take part in filming due to health complications linked to throat cancer. He died last April at the age of 65.
Filmmakers said they worked closely with Kilmer’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, to incorporate AI technology, aiming to respect the actor’s personal connection to the role.
«At the time that he was cast, Kilmer expressed that the character of Fintan spoke to him both culturally and spiritually,» First Line Films said, noting his Native American heritage and long-standing connection to the American Southwest.
Directed and written by Coerte Voorhees, the film follows archaeologists Ann Morris, played by Abigail Lawrie, and Earl Morris, portrayed by Tom Felton, as they conduct excavations in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. The story also explores the history and experiences of the Navajo people.
First Line Films, based in New Mexico, said it will use advanced AI tools to recreate Kilmer’s performance, allowing him to portray what it described as a historically significant character.
Val Kilmer, trained at Juilliard, built a career defined by intense performances and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s more unpredictable talents. His credits include «Tombstone,» where he played Doc Holliday, alongside a range of major film and biographical roles that established him as one of the most distinctive actors of his generation.
