Val Kilmer's AI resurrection brings unfinished film role to life
A new film will feature a digital performance by the late Val Kilmer, recreated using AI. The production, As Deep as the Grave, secured rights from his estate to complete a role he was originally cast in back in 2015. This marks the first known use of AI to fully recreate a deceased actor's performance in a film. Val Kilmer was set to play Father Fintan in the project before his health prevented filming. He passed away on April 1, 2025, leaving the role unfulfilled. First Line Films, led by Coerte and John Voorhees, reached an agreement with Kilmer's estate in March 2026 to digitally reconstruct his performance.
The AI system was trained on private photos and footage from earlier in Kilmer's career. The estate, represented by his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, approved the use of his likeness, voice, and archival material. His children, Mercedes and Jack Kilmer, also granted their consent under the deal. The production follows 2026 SAG-AFTRA rules, which require permission from authorised representatives for digital replicas of deceased actors. The estate receives compensation for the rights and access to the archival content. This approach allows the film to keep its original casting and creative vision intact.
The agreement ensures Kilmer's performance will be completed as intended, using licensed AI reconstruction. No similar project has successfully reached release before now. The film is set to move forward with the estate's full approval and legal safeguards in place.
