The dead are speaking—and they’re starring in movies. At a recent CinemaCon presentation, the first teaser trailer for As Deep as the Grave debuted, sparking immediate conversation regarding its most controversial element: an AI-recreation of Val Kilmer.

Despite the actor passing away in 2025 having never filmed material for this specific project, the film features him in a central role. This has ignited a heated debate over the ethics of using artificial versions of deceased performers in new media.

The Controversy Surrounding the AI-recreation of Val Kilmer

The decision to use digital technology to resurrect a legend is not without its critics. Many argue that an artificial version can never truly capture the soul of a performer, no matter how accurate the mimicry becomes. From Top Gun to Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kilmer was defined by his unique presence—something a machine may only be able to approximate.

During a Q&A moderated by Variety’s Brent Lang, director Coerte Voorhees and producer John Voorhees addressed the backlash directly. When asked about claims that this technology is inauthentic or "opening Pandora's Box," John Voorhees remained respectful but firm.

"That is absolutely their right to say that," John remarked. He insisted the production followed an ethical framework built on three pillars:

  • Consent: Obtaining permission from the estate.
  • Compensation: Ensuring proper payment for the likeness used.
  • Collaboration: Working closely with those who knew the actor best.

The filmmakers noted that Kilmer’s children, Mercedes and Jack, gave an "enthusiastic yes" to the project, providing personal footage to serve as a reference beyond his standard film roles.

Why the Filmmakers Chose This Path

The inclusion of Father Fintan was not a sudden gimmick but a necessity born from production hurdles. The film, set in the 1920s, follows archeologists Earl and Ann Morris (played by Tom Felton and Abigail Lawrie). Originally, Kilmer had agreed to play the priest, Father Fintan, years ago.

However, due to his deteriorating health, he was forced to drop out before filming began. While the production initially cut his character, the filmmakers realized the story lost its heart without him. Because they were an independent production with a limited budget, they couldn't simply "roll camera" again to recast.

Implementing New Technology in Independent Film

The scale of this AI-recreation of Val Kilmer is massive for an indie project. The filmmakers revealed that the character appears in approximately one hour and seventeen minutes of the current cut. When asked if this constitutes a true "performance," Coerte Voorhees offered a nuanced distinction: "Val Kilmer influenced this performance."

To make the interaction between live actors and the digital Father Fintan believable, the production relied heavily on "movie magic" and creative editing.

  • Creative Rearranging: Characters were edited together to simulate dialogue.
  • Innovative Toolsets: Utilizing modern tech to bridge the gap left by a halted production.
  • Technical Workarounds: Adjusting original scenes where actors spoke to different characters.

While some may view this as a mere pastiche of Kilmer's talent, the Voorhees brothers argue that it is an essential evolution of filmmaking tools. Whether it feels like a genuine performance or a digital shadow remains to be seen, but As Deep as the Grave is certainly pushing the boundaries of what is possible in modern cinema.