Image: from ColombiaOne X @Co1ombia
Las Vegas — Hollywood’s ongoing debate over artificial intelligence has intensified following the release of a trailer featuring a digitally recreated version of Val Kilmer, who died in 2025, in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave.
The first footage was unveiled at CinemaCon, where studios present major releases to theater owners and media. The appearance of a rejuvenated, AI-generated Kilmer has already drawn global attention and renewed ethical questions about the future of filmmaking.
A new trailer for As Deep as the Grave shows an AI-generated depiction of Val Kilmer.
The Top Gun actor died aged 65 in 2025 from pneumonia. He had been diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014, which he recovered from, his daughter confirmed. pic.twitter.com/fPGGqioPEa— The Independent (@Independent) April 17, 2026
A Digital Return to the Screen
The film, directed and produced by the Voorhees brothers, uses artificial intelligence to recreate Kilmer in the role of Father Fintan, a key character in the story.
Kilmer, widely known for performances in Top Gun, The Doors, and Batman Forever, had originally been cast in the role before health issues forced him to step away.
Following his death from pneumonia, the filmmakers revisited the project using advanced AI techniques, drawing from archival footage to reconstruct his likeness and performance.
Family Approval and Creative Intent
The actor’s children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, approved the use of his image and provided access to personal archives. According to the filmmakers, Kilmer had spoken about his legacy before his death and expressed a desire to continue contributing to cinema.
The production team described the process as highly detailed and iterative, aimed at ensuring that the digital performance remained faithful to Kilmer’s style and presence.
Technology Meets Controversy
The use of AI in film remains one of the most sensitive issues in the entertainment industry. It was a central concern during the 2023 Hollywood strikes, when actors and writers warned that unchecked use of such technology could threaten creative control and livelihoods.
The filmmakers stated they followed guidelines set by SAG-AFTRA, focusing on consent, compensation, and collaboration.
Despite these measures, the project is expected to divide opinion, with some viewing it as an innovation and others as a troubling precedent.
A Story Anchored in History
As Deep as the Grave follows early archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris in the American Southwest, exploring a period shaped by hardship and cultural expansion.
Kilmer’s character, a Catholic missionary suffering from illness, is portrayed as a central figure in the narrative, which the filmmakers said justified the effort to include him through digital means.
A Defining Moment for Hollywood
The film arrives at a time when the boundaries between technology and performance are increasingly blurred. The ability to recreate actors raises fundamental questions about ownership, identity, and the future of storytelling.
As the release approaches, As Deep as the Grave is likely to become a landmark case in the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and cinema.