Val Kilmer posthumously stars in "As Deep as the Grave" using AI, honoring his legacy and advocacy.

Val Kilmer, who died in 2025 from throat cancer, will posthumously star in the film "As Deep as the Grave" using AI to recreate his likeness and voice, with support from his family and director Coerte Voorhees. The role, tailored to reflect Kilmer’s real-life battle with cancer and his advocacy for Native American rights, was developed around him before his death. The film uses archival footage, audio, and digital modeling to create a photorealistic performance, marking a significant use of AI in cinema. While the project has sparked ethical debate, it honors Kilmer’s legacy and artistic vision.