The use of artificial intelligence to recreate late American actor Val Kilmer in a new Hollywood film has sparked fresh debate over the growing role of AI in the entertainment industry.
The trailer of the upcoming film “As Deep As the Grave” was unveiled on Wednesday at the CinemaCon, showcasing a digitally de-aged version of Kilmer, who passed away in April 2025 at the age of 65 due to pneumonia.
Filmmakers Quyrette Voorhees and John Voorhees said the film is expected to be released later this year.
They revealed that Kilmer was recreated using AI technology with the consent of his family.
According to the producers, the actor’s children, Mercedes Kilmer and Jack Kilmer, provided access to his video archives to facilitate the process.
Kilmer, widely known for his roles in films such as Top Gun, Batman Forever and The Doors, appears in the film as a Catholic missionary in a historical narrative.
The filmmakers described the recreation process as complex and time-consuming, adding that they adhered to guidelines set by SAG-AFTRA, including consent, compensation and collaboration.
Industry experts say the use of AI in Hollywood remains a sensitive issue, with previous controversies highlighting concerns over ethics, ownership and the future of human performers in cinema.