Show summary Hide summary
AI just brought Val Kilmer back to the big screen. At CinemaCon earlier today, filmmakers debuted a shocking trailer for “As Deep as the Grave,” featuring the late actor’s digitally recreated performance. Kilmer passed in April 2025, but his AI-generated character will occupy over one hour of this groundbreaking historical drama.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Trailer debut: Revealed at CinemaCon Las Vegas on April 15, 2026
- Val Kilmer: AI-generated likeness approved by his daughter Mercedes and estate
- Screen time: Father Fintan character appears for over 60 minutes of runtime
- Cast ensemble: Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Wes Studi
Inside the AI Technology That Recreates a Legend
“As Deep as the Grave” represents a watershed moment for artificial intelligence in Hollywood. Director Coerte Voorhees used generative AI to create Kilmer’s complete performance from archival footage. The production obtained explicit permission from Kilmer’s family and adhered to SAG guidelines. The filmmakers compensated Kilmer’s estate for his appearance, setting a precedent for ethical AI use in cinema.
Kilmer had been originally cast in the role years earlier, but throat cancer prevented him from filming. Mercedes Kilmer, his daughter, stated her father “always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand storytelling possibilities.” This ethical approach distinguishes the project from controversial AI casting decisions.
As deep as the grave: AI Val Kilmer debuts in new trailer at CinemaCon
Rhea Ripley reveals she’s battling an eating disorder before WrestleMania 42
The Story Behind Father Fintan’s Spirituality
Kilmer’s character, Father Fintan, is a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. In the trailer, viewers hear his AI-recreated voice tell a child: “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.” The film resonated deeply with Kilmer because it honored his own Native American heritage and his profound connection to the American Southwest. Director Voorhees explained the role was “very much designed around him.”
| Detail | Information |
| Release Date | TBA |
| Director | Coerte Voorhees |
| Cast | Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Val Kilmer (AI) |
| Genre | Historical Action Adventure |
“It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest… His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this.”
— Coerte Voorhees, Writer-Director
How the AI-Generated Performance Compares to Live Acting
The trailer footage showcases Kilmer at multiple ages, from a ghostly, spectral figure to a dashing 30-something priest. This technical achievement required careful study of Kilmer’s archival material and voice recordings. The filmmakers released a statement noting they used generative AI responsibly and only after exhausting traditional casting options. Unlike controversial AI jobs that replace living actors, this project honored a performer’s unfinished work.
Industry observers note the film’s approach differs sharply from AI-generated actor Tilly Norwood, which drew backlash from SAG-AFTRA. By working with Kilmer’s family and estate, Voorhees proved that AI technology can respect an actor’s legacy rather than exploit it. The production compensated the Kilmer family and treated the performance with profound artistic care.
What Will “As Deep as the Grave” Explore About Ann Morris and the Southwest?
The film centers on Ann Axtell Morris, remembered as one of America’s first female archaeologists. Set in the 1920s, the story follows her groundbreaking excavation of Canyon De Chelly in Arizona, documenting Ancestral Puebloan remains. Tom Felton plays her husband Earl Morris, her partner in both love and scientific discovery. The production features epic cinematography of dramatic cliffside excavations, buffalo herds racing across plains, and scenes of a car navigating rapids.
The ensemble cast includes Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Wes Studi, and Finn Jones. This historical adventure promises substantial action alongside its narrative about scientific pioneering and cultural preservation. The film’s treatment of Native American spirituality through Kilmer’s Father Fintan adds philosophical depth to the archaeological narrative.
Sources
- Variety: Val Kilmer resurrected by AI for ‘As Deep as the Grave’ trailer debut at CinemaCon
- The Hollywood Reporter: Val Kilmer’s AI-generated performance debuts with first trailer footage
- ABC News: Filmmakers use AI to recreate late actor’s performance with family approval
