One of the world's most beloved actors, Val Kilmer, died last year at the age of 65 after a long battle with throat cancer.
Videos by Wide Open Country
But thanks to the use of generative AI, Kilmer will appear on the silver screen once again.
Val Kilmer Plays a Priest
The Tombstone actor was cast as Father Fintan in the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave five years before his death. But as Variety reports, he was too sick to make it to the set. Despite this, director Coerte Voorhees remained determined to see Kilmer play the part.
"He was the actor I wanted to play this role," he said. "It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest. I was looking at a call sheet the other day, and we had him ready to shoot. He was just going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn't do it."
Voorhees collaborated closely with the late actor's estate and family to bring Kilmer to life using AI. Despite ongoing discussions surrounding the technology, all parties involved believe it was the right decision.
"His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this," said the director. "He really thought it was an important story that he wanted his name on. It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, 'Okay, let's do this.' Despite the fact that some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted."
What Is the Movie About?
As Deep as the Grave is based on the true story of Ann and Earl Morris. The archaeologists were working to uncover the history of the Navajo people in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona.
Along with the AI-generated version of Kilmer, the film features performances from Abigail Lawrie, Harry Potter's Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, and Wes Studi.
Kilmer's image will appear in "a significant part" of the film. To achieve this, his family provided both younger photos and footage from his later years, enabling the character to be depicted at various stages of his life. Kilmer's voice will also be used.
Kilmer's daughter, Mercedes, said the indie film's story resonated with her dad.
"He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling," she said. "This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part."
