Late Hollywood actor Val Kilmer will appear posthumously in the upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave" through the use of generative artificial intelligence, in what producers describe as a first-of-its-kind performance.

Production company First Line Films said on Wednesday (18 March) that Val Kilmer will portray Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. He was unable to complete filming before his death at 65 due to complications from throat cancer.

The filmmakers said the decision to recreate Kilmer’s performance using AI was made in close collaboration with his estate and his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, with the aim of honouring his connection to the role.

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According to the studio, Kilmer had described the character as culturally and spiritually meaningful, reflecting his heritage and affinity for the American Southwest.

Written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, the film follows archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, played by Abigail Lawrie and Tom Felton, during excavations in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. The story explores both the region’s archaeological history and the lived experiences of the Navajo people.

Kilmer, a Juilliard-trained actor, rose to global fame with roles in Top Gun, The Doors and Batman Forever, and was widely recognised for his portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone. His career was marked by intense performances and a reputation as one of Hollywood’s most distinctive actors.

The use of AI to recreate his role is likely to add to the growing debate over the ethical and creative implications of artificial intelligence in filmmaking.

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