Deceased Val Kilmer is "reborn" in film – through AI

Hollywood star Val Kilmer passed away last year. However, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence, an AI version of the actor will be seen in "As Deep as the Grave." As Variety reports, in the role of the Catholic priest Father Fintan.

The film tells the story of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, which is based on true events. The focus is on their excavations in Canyon de Chelly in Arizona, through which they want to research the history of the Navajo people. The two main roles are played by Abigail Lawrie and Tom Felton. Other cast members include Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd and Wes Studi. The role of Father Fintan, played by the AI version of Kilmer, is said to be of particular importance for "As Deep as the Grave". Over the course of the film, the character will be seen at various stages of his life. In order to realize this, footage of the younger Val Kilmer was used as well as footage from the last years of the actor's life.

A first image of the AI version of Kilmer in "As Deep as the Grave" has now been published exclusively by Variety, as can be seen in the social media post:

Val Kilmer was supposed to play the role from the beginning

Kilmer was cast for "As Deep as the Grave" five years before his death. Before filming began, however, he was so weakened by his throat cancer that he had to cancel. For director Coerte Voorhees, who also wrote the screenplay and produced the film, Kilmer was the ideal candidate. He is quoted by Variety saying:

"He was the actor I wanted to play this role. It was very much designed around him."

Although Voorhees was unable to shoot a single scene with Kilmer, he stuck to his idea - and was still able to realize it to a certain extent through the use of AI. He cooperated with the estate of the deceased actor as well as with his daughter Mercedes. According to Voorhees, Kilmer's son Jack also had no objections. The director emphasizes:

"His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this. He really thought it was an important story that he wanted his name on. It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, okay let's do this. Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted."

Hollywood worried about AI

In fact, the use of AI is causing unrest in Hollywood. Among other things, there is concern that actors and other artists could one day become superfluous. Just recently, a video featuring AI-generated versions of Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fueled such fears. In the clip, the deceptively real-looking versions of the two stars engage in a fierce duel. After the video went viral, "Deadpool" author Rhett Reese, among others, reacted with critical words. He pointed out that such use of artificial intelligence could jeopardize the careers of many people in Hollywood (we reported).

It is not yet possible to say whether "As Deep as the Grave" will contribute to the feared upheaval in Hollywood. It also remains to be seen when the film will be released. In any case, it will be interesting to see how audiences react to the AI version of Kilmer. Many people know the actor from blockbusters such as "Top Gun" and "Batman Forever". He also shone in the cinema classic "Heat" alongside Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. His appearance alongside Tom Cruise in "Top Gun: Maverick" marked the end of his impressive career.