LAS VEGAS (AP) — Movie producers revealed the first footage Wednesday of a digitally recreated Val Kilmer at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, showcasing how artificial intelligence technology brought the late actor back to the screen for the independent film “As Deep as the Grave.”
In the trailer’s closing moments, Kilmer’s character Father Fintan, portrayed as both a Catholic priest and Native American spiritual guide, delivers the line: “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.”
Kilmer passed away last year at age 65 from pneumonia complications. The decision to digitally resurrect the actor for this historical drama centered on archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris sparked significant debate when producers first announced the project last month. The preview footage displays Kilmer’s character across different time periods of his life.
Director and screenwriter Coerte Voorhees joined his brother John on a Wednesday panel discussion addressing the contentious choice to employ technology for recreating a performance by a deceased performer. They outlined their ethical approach, which involved collaboration with Kilmer’s family members and adherence to actors’ union protocols. However, Coerte Voorhees was careful not to label it as an authentic Val Kilmer performance.
“Val Kilmer influenced this performance,” Coerte Voorhees stated.
Producer John Voorhees acknowledged the dangerous ground of using AI to replicate real individuals but stressed their compliance with Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists protocols, which he summarized as “consent, compensation and collaboration.” Kilmer’s estate, including daughter Mercedes, authorized the digital recreation, receives payment for the usage, and contributed archival material to assist the technological process.
The filmmakers drew parallels between Kilmer’s AI-generated role and traditional portrayals of historical figures, similar to Kilmer’s own depiction of Jim Morrison in “The Doors.” Notably, Kilmer had previously embraced AI technology during his lifetime. After losing his natural voice due to throat cancer treatment and two tracheotomy procedures, he worked with an AI software company to digitally restore his speaking ability. His voice also received digital enhancement for his final film appearance in “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Kilmer had originally committed to “As Deep as the Grave” several years earlier, with much of the storyline built around his character. When health complications forced him to withdraw at the last moment, the production team initially proceeded without the character rather than casting a replacement. The project faced multiple delays as one of the first productions to begin filming in New Mexico during fall 2020 amid pandemic restrictions. The creators later determined that Father Fintan remained essential to the story and approached Kilmer’s children, Mercedes and Jack, about the AI solution.
“We were so glad they were so excited and so supportive of the idea,” Coerte Voorhees explained. “We didn’t want to do it unless everybody thought this was going to work properly.”
According to the director, Kilmer appears on screen for one hour and 17 minutes, though the complete runtime remains undisclosed. He noted the film runs long, and the production team plans a release sometime this year.
