The trailer for “As Deep as the Grave” has sparked conversation after revealing an AI-generated version of Val Kilmer in the role of a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. The film’s use of technology to recreate the late actor has drawn mixed reactions, with some viewers intrigued by the innovation while others question the impact on the future of filmmaking.
‘As Deep As The Grave’ Trailer Debuts
On April 15, the trailer for “As Deep as the Grave” was released, showing a glimpse of Val Kilmer as AI. The movie, based on a true story, focuses on Ann and Earl Morris (portrayed by Abigail Lawrite and Tom Felton, respectively), as they carry out an excavation in Arizona that leads to the discovery of sites related to Native American history.
Kilmer, who died in April 2025, plays the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. The actor, or his AI version, appeared a few times in the trailer and quickly became the point of discussion among viewers.
The Use Of AI Val Kilmer Raises Questions
Many viewers expressed concern for the movie industry, specifically for the jobs that will be replaced by AI. “This is also the inevitable future. This sort of thing will only become easier, with better results,” one user predicted.
Others, meanwhile, thought Kilmer’s appearance in the film was “creepy,” with one writing, “I don’t think I could ever watch those who have passed on in this manner. It seems… completely anti-human experience and blurs the lines of life and death in a manner I don’t like.”
“AI can finish a performance that life interrupted,” one said, comparing the technology to a “digital stunt double.” However, the user also pondered, “If actors never truly retire, even after death, where does that leave the next generation of talent?”
“People need to accept, that dying is an inevitable process.. Enjoy someone’s life work, instead of trying to extend it with AI,” another person opined.
The Actor Was Cast In The Role Before His Death
Writer and director Coerte Voorhees shared that Kilmer got the role of Father Fintan five years before he died, adding that the actor was his first choice. “It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest,” Voorhees said.
Kilmer mentioned in the past that he was part Cherokee. He was an advocate of Indigenous rights and a big supporter of Native American communities, raising awareness for the challenges faced by Native communities.
At the time of the shooting, Voorhees said that Kilmer was “going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn’t do it.” As a result, he was not able to shoot a single scene for the movie.
The Movie Was Done With Val Kilmer’s Family’s Consent
According to Voorhees, he would normally recast an actor. However, they were working on a tight budget and realized that they could rely on technology and still have Kilmer in the movie. In addition, Kilmer’s family said that the story was “important” for the late actor and “he wanted his name on it.”
“It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, okay let’s do this. Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted,” said the director.
Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, said she supported the making of the film, adding that her father “always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand possibilities of storytelling.”
Val Kilmer Was A Cancer Survivor
In 2015, Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer after experiencing some symptoms, including a lump in his throat, difficulty swallowing, and the loss of his voice, which eventually led to the actor throwing up blood.
He went to the hospital after the medical emergency and was told he had throat cancer. Kilmer had a tracheotomy and also underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Years later, he shared that he was cancer-free. However, the tracheotomy damaged his throat, which affected his voice, leading him to rely on an AI-powered voice model when he reprised his role as Tom Kazansky in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” his final film role.
Kilmer died of pneumonia on April 1, 2025, at 65 years old, surrounded by close friends and family.
