Upcoming Film 'As Deep as the Grave' Features AI-Generated Val Kilmer as Priest

An artificial intelligence-generated version of actor Val Kilmer appears in the upcoming movie 'As Deep as the Grave,' with the film's trailer released on April 15, 2026. Kilmer, who died at age 65 in 2025, plays Father Fintan, a priest and Native American spiritualist in the Southwest, through AI technology that incorporates archived and behind-the-scenes footage provided by his family.

Kilmer's daughter said her father had signed on to "As Deep as the Grave" years before he died and that he was interested in the technology, which has advanced in recent years, thanks to deepfake videos, songs and AI stars like Tilly Norwood.

" The AI version of Kilmer appears onscreen for 77 minutes and is credited as "Digital Performer, AI performance as Val Kilmer" on IMDB, with no direct credit to Kilmer himself. The film was written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, who said in a March 2026 press release that Kilmer identified with the character of Father Fintan and understood the importance of elevating awareness of Ann Morris’s story as the first female archaeologist in North America.

Coerte Voorhees added that Kilmer's health at the time prevented him from physically playing the role, which spoke to him spiritually and culturally. This is not the first time AI has been used to represent Kilmer; in the 2022 sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick,' AI technology generated Kilmer's voice after throat cancer damaged it.

Producers suggest the AI approach could extend to other deceased stars like Marilyn Monroe or James Dean, pending family approval, amid ongoing debates about digital likenesses in media.

The film also stars Abigail Breslin and Tom Felton.