A new trailer for “As Deep as the Grave” is sparking conversation across Hollywood—offering a first look at an AI-generated performance by the late Val Kilmer.
The footage, unveiled at CinemaCon, reveals how filmmakers used advanced technology to bring Kilmer to the screen after his death in 2025 following a battle with throat cancer.
Though originally cast in the role of Father Fintan—a Catholic priest with ties to Native American spirituality—Kilmer was unable to physically film due to his declining health.
Instead, the production worked closely with his estate and family to complete the performance using generative AI.
The Trailer Shows Kilmer at Various Ages
The trailer shows Kilmer appearing in multiple forms throughout the film.
In some moments, he’s portrayed as a younger man, while in others he takes on a more ethereal, almost ghostlike presence.
In one striking scene, his character gently reassures a child, saying, “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me,” highlighting the emotional weight of the role.
Director Coerte Voorhees emphasized that the project was deeply personal from the start, according to Variety.
The story—centered on pioneering archaeologist Ann Axtell Morris and her work in the American Southwest—was crafted with Kilmer in mind, drawing on his heritage and long-standing connection to the region.
According to the filmmaker, Kilmer’s family strongly supported the vision and believed it was a project he genuinely wanted to be part of.
Kilmer’s Family Approved
That sentiment was echoed by his daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, who shared a heartfelt statement about honoring her father’s legacy through the film.
“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.”
Her words offer important context as debates around AI in entertainment continue to grow.
While the use of digital recreations has sparked ethical concerns in the industry, the filmmakers behind “As Deep as the Grave” maintain that this approach was rooted in collaboration and respect.
Notably, Kilmer’s role is far from a brief cameo.
The director revealed that Father Fintan appears in more than an hour of the film, making it a substantial part of the story rather than a symbolic inclusion.
Beyond the groundbreaking technology, the film itself promises sweeping visuals and dramatic storytelling.
The trailer features expansive desert landscapes, intense excavation scenes, and moments of action that bring the historical narrative to life.
With a cast that includes Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin and Wes Studi, the film blends star power with an ambitious creative approach.
