The image of the late actor Val Kilmer was recreated with artificial intelligence for the film As Deep as the Gravewhich generated debate because of the risk that this technology represents for jobs in Hollywood.
However, The artist’s daughter defended the strategy and argued that her father would have wanted to do it as a benefit for the actors..
“My father was very passionate about the idea that now is the time, before the relevant laws are drafted, to ensure that a compensation structure is in place; for ensure that actors receive remuneration equivalent to what they would receive if they were physically performing the work», said Mercedes Kilmer in the program TODAYfrom NBC.
The first trailer of the film As Deep as the Gravewhich will be released in the coming months, showed Val Kilmer generated with artificial intelligence.
Years before his death, the artist would have chosen the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic and Native American priest, linked to Mission San Juan, in Farmington, New Mexico. However, when it came time to film, in 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, Kilmer He had to retire due to the deterioration of his health.
The Coerte brothers and John Voorhees, creators of film production, explained during CinemaCon 2026 that They managed to recreate Kilmer in the character with the collaboration of his family, especially his children Mercedes and Jack Kilmerwho authorized the use of their image and provided material —such as recordings, photographs and videos— to build a digital recreation of his father.
The film is a historical drama that chronicles the exploration of the Navajo people in New Mexicoheaded by archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, and the artificial intelligence character based on the actor plays a Native American priest and spiritual leader.
Kilmer’s daughter said the new character based on her father “sets a truly historic precedent” and that she is very proud of it.
Val Kilmer died in 2025, aged 65.due to pneumonia, after a long battle against throat cancer; but was immortalized thanks to his iconic roles as Jim Morrison in The DoorsBatman in Batman ForeverTom “Iceman” Kazansky in top gun and Nick Rivers in Top Secret.