Val Kilmer’s daughter defends AI portrayal, addressing recent criticism.
Mercedes Kilmer said her father, the late actor Val Kilmer, approved the use of an AI‑generated version of him for the upcoming film As Deep as the Grave. The film will release later this year and features a priest and Native American spiritualist played by the AI reconstruction of Val Kilmer. Kilmer, 34, explained that her father wanted the technology to establish a licensing structure that would allow actors to receive compensation comparable to that of a live performance.
The project used recordings of Val Kilmer’s voice, archival footage, and family photographs to create the digital portrayal. Producer John Voorhees confirmed that the filmmakers followed SAG‑AFTRA guidelines for consent, compensation, and collaboration. The decision followed the actor’s prior 2022 collaboration on Top Gun: Maverick, where AI re‑created his voice for a reunion scene.
Kilmer’s daughter noted that the film’s production was paused in 2020 due to the COVID‑19 pandemic but resumed when new AI tools became available. She added that the technology could “expand the possibilities of what we can do as humans, not replace them.”
The use of AI‑generated likenesses has sparked debate within Hollywood, with some industry members worried about job security while others support the approach as a way to protect intellectual property. Kilmer said the estate will not use the AI likeness for future projects without parental permission, and that future use could include video games based on his iconic roles.