AI-generated Val Kilmer to posthumously star in new movie

Entertainment world remembers Val Kilmer

TMZ's Michael Babcock joins LiveNOW's Andy Mac to discuss the legacy of late actor Val Kilmer.

An AI-generated version of the late actor Val Kilmer will co-star in "As Deep as the Grave," an upcoming movie that he had planned to act in but was too sick to work. 

First Line Films, the film company behind "As Deep as the Grave," made the announcement Wednesday, nearly a year after his death. Here’s what we know: 

Val Kilmer’s new movie

Formerly titled "Canyon of the Dead," "As Deep as the Grave" was filmed several years ago but has not made it out of postproduction. 

Producers say it’s based on a true story about archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, who discovered Native American history through their Arizona excavations.

FILE - Actor Val Kilmer attends the 23rd annual Simply Shakespeare benefit reading of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage on September 25, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)

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The AI version of Kilmer plays Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. The cast includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi and Abigail Breslin. 

What they're saying:

Mercedes Kilmer, the actor’s daughter, said her father’s estate gave permission for the project, and they’re being compensated for it.

"He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling," she said in a statement. "This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part."

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Writer-director Coerte Voorhees said Kilmer was drawn to the project five years ago because he identifies as part Native American. 

"It was very unfortunate that his health at the time prevented him from playing this role which spoke to him spiritually and culturally," Voorhees said. "We are honored to collaborate with his daughter Mercedes, who brings her own filmmaking experience, to bring this character to life in the way that we had all originally imagined it."

What's next:

Producers hope to release the film sometime this year, but a release date hasn’t been set. 

Val Kilmer’s digital voice

Dig deeper:

It won’t be the first time Kilmer has been digitally recreated for a role. Kilmer lost his natural speaking voice after a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis that required two tracheotomies. He used an AI software company to digitally recreate his voice. His digitally altered voice was heard in his last performance in 2022’s "Top Gun: Maverick."

Val Kilmer’s death

The backstory:

Kilmer died from pneumonia in April 2025. He was 65 years old. 

The actor was known for his roles in "Top Gun," "The Doors," "Tombstone," "True Romance," "Batman Forever," "MacGruber" and more.