Val Kilmer’s Legacy Lives On: AI Revives His Role in ‘As Deep as the Grave’
Five years before his passing in 2025, Val Kilmer was slated to portray Father Fintan, a compelling character blending Catholic priesthood with Native American spiritualism, in the film “As Deep as the Grave.” However, his battle with throat cancer tragically prevented him from ever stepping onto the set.
“He was the actor I envisioned for this role,” shares Coerte Voorhees, the film’s writer and director. “The character was meticulously crafted around him, drawing inspiration from his Native American heritage and his deep connection to the Southwest. I recently reviewed a call sheet, and we were fully prepared to begin filming with him. Sadly, he was facing an incredibly challenging time with his health, making it impossible for him to participate.”
A Digital Resurrection: Utilizing Generative AI
Despite not filming a single scene, Voorhees has ingeniously realized his vision of featuring Kilmer in the ensemble cast through the power of cutting-edge generative AI. This remarkable feat was accomplished with the full cooperation of the late actor’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes (with support from his son, Jack).
“His family consistently emphasized the importance of this film and Val’s strong desire to be involved,” Voorhees explains. “He believed it was a significant story he wanted his name attached to. Their unwavering support gave me the confidence to proceed, even knowing it might spark controversy. This is what Val wanted.”
“As Deep as the Grave,” originally titled “Canyon of the Dead,” is a true story chronicling the Southwestern archaeological work of Ann and Earl Morris, and their efforts to uncover the history of the Navajo people in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. The cast includes Abigail Lawrie (“Tin Star”), Tom Felton (“Harry Potter”), Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin. Kilmer, or rather, the AI-generated version of him, will play “a significant part” in the finished film. The project leverages both younger images of Kilmer, provided by his family, and footage from his later years to depict his character at different stages of life. The audio also incorporates Kilmer’s voice, which was affected by a tracheal procedure in his later years.
Mirroring Life and Art
“The character in the film also suffers from tuberculosis,” notes John Voorhees, the film’s producer and Coerte’s brother. “This historical parallel mirrored Val’s own condition during his battle with throat cancer. This allows for a unique opportunity for the character to reflect the actor’s real-life struggles, creating a powerful connection.”
The indie production faced numerous hurdles, including shutdowns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, extending the production timeline to six years. At one point, scenes involving Father Fintan were cut due to budgetary and time constraints. However, upon reviewing the footage, the filmmakers realized their crucial importance to the narrative.
“We quickly understood that this was a major missing piece,” says Coerte Voorhees. “Typically, we would recast an actor. I deeply value collaboration with actors, and we have exceptional performances throughout this film. But we couldn’t reshoot. We lacked the budget of a major studio. So, we had to explore innovative solutions, and the technology was there.”
The Ethics of AI in Filmmaking
The use of AI in filmmaking remains a hotly debated topic, with concerns about job displacement and the unauthorized use of actors’ likenesses. The Voorhees brothers acknowledge the potential for criticism but hope “As Deep as the Grave” will demonstrate how AI can be used ethically. They emphasize that the production adhered to SAG guidelines and compensated Kilmer’s estate for his appearance.
In a statement, Mercedes Kilmer expressed her support for the film, noting her father’s “deeply spiritual nature” and his resonance with the “story of discovery and enlightenment” set in the American Southwest, where he resided in New Mexico.
“He always embraced emerging technologies with optimism, viewing them as tools to expand the possibilities of storytelling,” Mercedes Kilmer added. “This spirit is what we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.”
During his career, which included iconic roles in films like “The Doors” and “Batman Forever,” Kilmer collaborated with Sonantic to create an AI-powered speaking voice for his reprisal of Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” At the time, Kilmer expressed his gratitude for the technology, stating, “As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence, and the side effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me. The chance to narrate my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift.”
