Actor resurrected in movie one year after death in an AI-generated performance

EntertainmentTechnology
16 Apr 2026 • 5:44 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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  • A new trailer showcases Val Kilmer's AI likeness in the upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave," where he plays Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist Father Fintan.
  • Kilmer was cast in 2020 but could not film due to health issues from throat cancer, which caused him to lose his voice; AI previously recreated his voice for "Top Gun: Maverick."
  • His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, endorsed the AI use, stating her father was a "deeply spiritual man" inspired by the film's "story of discovery and enlightenment" and optimistic about technology for storytelling.
  • The film, formerly titled "Canyon del Muerto," tells the real-life story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris working in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, and engaging with Navajo history.
  • The trailer has sparked divided opinions online regarding the use of AI for actor likenesses, a contentious issue that was partly addressed during the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.

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