The legend of Val Kilmer is living on in a way that is currently set to break the internet.
On Wednesday at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, audiences were left stunned as the trailer for the upcoming indie film As Deep as the Grave debuted. The big takeaway? The late Top Gun and Batman Forever star appears front and center, portraying a character via an AI-generated performance.
Kilmer, who tragically passed away in April at age following a courageous battle with throat cancer, had been attached to the project for years. While he was unable to film his scenes before his death, his presence in the trailer is hauntingly life-like.
In the footage, Kilmer’s likeness portrays Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. In a moment that is already sparking intense discussion on X (formerly Twitter), his digital double speaks directly to the camera, saying, “Don’t fear the dead, and don’t fear me.”
The reaction from fans has been an emotional rollercoaster. While some are celebrating the chance to see the icon “one last time,” others on TikTok and Instagram are debating the ethics of digital resurrections. “This gave me chills, but I’m not sure how to feel about AI actors,” one fan commented under a viral repost of the trailer.
Writer-director Coerte Voorhees explained that the decision to use AI was made with the full support and heart of Kilmer’s family. Specifically, the actor’s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, was instrumental in bringing the digital performance to life.
“When Val came onboard the project five years ago, he immediately identified with the historical southwestern spiritual character of Father Fintan,” Voorhees said in a statement. He noted that Kilmer felt it was vital to tell the story of Ann Morris (played by Abigail Lawrie), North America’s first female archaeologist.
While Kilmer’s health ultimately prevented him from stepping onto the set, his daughter says this project aligns perfectly with how her father viewed the future of cinema.
“He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling,” Mercedes Kilmer shared. “This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.”
The film also stars Harry Potter alum Tom Felton as Earl Morris and Abigail Breslin, rounding out a powerhouse cast for the s-set period piece.
The use of AI continues to be a lightning-rod issue in Hollywood. Following recent controversies surrounding other posthumous digital performances, like the AI-generated Tilly Norwood, industry unions like SAG-AFTRA have pushed for stricter protections regarding an actor’s likeness.
However, because Kilmer was an executive part of the project’s development for half a decade, As Deep as the Grave stands as a unique tribute to a man who was always ahead of his time.
Whether you find it moving or controversial, there is no denying that Val Kilmer’s digital return is the viral moment of the year.
As Deep as the Grave is produced by First Line Films. A release date has not yet been announced.
