Val Kilmer Returns to Big Screen via AI in New Film Trailer
- Val Kilmer is returning to the cinema through the use of artificial intelligence in the historical drama As Deep as the Grave.
- The late actor, who died in 2025 at the age of 65, portrays Father Fintan, a character described as a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist.
- Kilmer had been cast in the role years before his death, but declining health prevented him from completing the necessary filming.
Val Kilmer is returning to the cinema through the use of artificial intelligence in the historical drama As Deep as the Grave
. The first trailer for the film was unveiled on April 15, 2026, during CinemaCon in Las Vegas.
The late actor, who died in 2025 at the age of 65, portrays Father Fintan, a character described as a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. In the released trailer, Kilmer’s AI-generated character delivers the line, Don’t fear the dead, and don’t fear me.
Kilmer had been cast in the role years before his death, but declining health prevented him from completing the necessary filming. To finalize the performance, filmmakers utilized generative AI and archival material to recreate his likeness.
The production of the role was carried out with the approval of Kilmer’s estate, including his daughter, Mercedes. The resulting footage showcases the actor at various stages of life, transitioning from a younger priest to a ghost-like figure.
Production and Industry Standards
The use of AI to recreate deceased performers has become a subject of debate within the film industry. Addressing these concerns at CinemaCon, director Coerte Voorhees stated that the production team worked closely with Kilmer’s family and adhered to industry guidelines.
Producer John Voorhees acknowledged that the process involved risky territory but emphasized that the production followed SAG-AFTRA standards. According to Voorhees, these standards are centered on consent, compensation and collaboration.
Film Plot and Cast
Directed by Coerte Voorhees, As Deep as the Grave
is an indie film that stars Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, and Abigail Breslin. The narrative is based on the real-life experiences of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris.
The story is set in the 1920s and follows Ann Axtell Morris, one of the first archaeologists in the United States, as she excavates the Canyon De Chelly in Arizona. The plot focuses on the discovery of remains belonging to the Ancestral Puebloans and explores themes regarding Native American heritage.
The trailer depicts scenes of Native Americans and the characters on horseback in snowy environments, positioning Kilmer as a stoic figure within the unfolding historical narrative.