AI-Generated Val Kilmer Performance in New Film Triggers Industry Backlash
The trailer for the upcoming film As Deep As the Grave has ignited a firestorm of controversy by featuring a fully AI-generated performance from the late actor Val Kilmer, who passed away in April 2025 after a prolonged battle with throat cancer. The digital resurrection has been branded by critics as "the most disgusting thing" and sparked urgent questions about ethics in Hollywood.
Film Details and Creative Decision
The movie, written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, follows real-life archaeologist couple Ann and Earl Morris, portrayed by Abigail Lawrie and Tom Felton, as they uncover Ancestral Puebloans remains in the 1920s. Kilmer had been cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, before his death, but his declining health prevented him from filming any scenes.
With support from Kilmer's daughter Mercedes, Voorhees opted to create the actor's performance entirely through artificial intelligence. The atmospheric trailer shows Kilmer's likeness at various ages, culminating with the AI-generated face declaring, 'Don't fear the dead, and don't fear me.'
Vocal Criticism from Industry Figures
Twilight actor Jackson Rathbone emerged as one of the most vocal opponents, directly addressing the US actors' union Sag Aftra on social media. He tweeted, 'About that strike we had... You owe us an explanation. This is cool? Wtf.' Rathbone then questioned Mercedes Kilmer's motives, asking if she was 'capitalising on your father's death for your own financial gain' and labeling the trailer 'the MOST disgusting thing I've ever seen.'
Other commentators echoed this sentiment, with one stating, 'Just because you can doesn't mean you should,' while another demanded transparency: 'How can they label the movie as starring Val Kilmer when that is not actually Val Kilmer? Shouldn't there be an asterisk or label like "AI Val Kilmer" to differentiate?'
Public Outcry and Ethical Concerns
The backlash extended across social media platforms, with many viewers expressing discomfort. One Reddit user questioned, 'I mean, one has to wonder: did NOBODY involved think "hey, maybe we should draw the line when we reach NECROMANCY"?' Others called the concept 'immoral and obscene' even with family consent, and some vowed to boycott the film entirely.
Additional comments included calls for theaters to refuse screening the movie and hopes that its potential failure would deter other studios from similar attempts. The controversy highlights growing tensions between technological capabilities and ethical boundaries in entertainment.
Filmmaker and Family Responses
Voorhees previously explained that Kilmer had been deeply connected to the role, stating, 'When Val came onboard the project five years ago, he immediately identified with the historical southwestern spiritual character of Father Fintan... It was very unfortunate that his health at the time prevented him from playing this role which spoke to him spiritually and culturally.'
Mercedes Kilmer defended the decision, noting her father's forward-looking attitude: 'He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling. This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.'
Context and Industry Implications
Kilmer's last live-action role was in 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, where he reprised his iconic Iceman character opposite Tom Cruise. The current controversy arrives amid ongoing debates about AI's role in creative industries, following recent strikes where actors fought for protections against digital replication.
The intense reaction to As Deep As the Grave suggests significant public and professional resistance to posthumous AI performances, potentially influencing future studio decisions and union negotiations regarding digital likeness rights and ethical storytelling practices.
