The conversation around AI in cinema just got more emotional, and this time it’s deeply personal. The late Val Kilmer is set to appear in the upcoming indie film As Deep as the Grave — not through archived footage, but via a full AI-generated recreation of his image and voice. Naturally, that decision has divided audiences, but now his daughter Mercedes Kilmer is stepping in to explain why this wasn’t exploitation — it was something her father actually believed in.
Speaking recently, Mercedes made it clear that this idea didn’t come out of nowhere. It started during the later phase of Kilmer’s life, when his health was deteriorating due to throat cancer, which had been diagnosed years earlier. The original plan was simple — find a way to work around his physical limitations so he could still be part of projects he cared about. But over time, that idea evolved into something bigger. According to her, Kilmer began seeing AI not just as a workaround, but as a way to shape how actors could control their presence and legacy in the future.
And that’s where the reactions start to split. Mercedes openly acknowledged that many people in the industry are uncomfortable with this technology, especially younger actors and musicians who fear being replaced or losing control over their identity. That fear isn’t baseless — AI is changing things fast, and not always in predictable ways. But at the same time, she pointed out that more established voices in the industry are beginning to see it differently — as a tool that could actually help protect intellectual property if used correctly.
For her, the key idea is control. Instead of AI being something that’s used without permission, she believes it’s better for artists to actively license and define how their likeness can be used. That way, the power stays with the individual or their estate, rather than external forces. It’s not about avoiding AI anymore — because realistically, that’s not possible — it’s about deciding how to live with it and shape its boundaries.
The film itself carries an emotional weight beyond the tech conversation. Director Coerte Voorhees revealed that Kilmer was originally supposed to shoot his role before his health took a serious turn. The character had been written specifically with him in mind, and even during his illness, Kilmer reportedly remained committed to being part of the project. That backing from his family is what ultimately pushed the team to move forward with the AI approach, despite knowing it would spark controversy.
This isn’t entirely new territory for Kilmer either. Fans might remember his brief but powerful return as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, where AI-assisted voice technology helped bring his character back to life on screen. That moment was widely appreciated, and in some ways, it laid the groundwork for what’s happening now — just on a much larger and more complex scale.
What makes this situation stand out is the intent behind it. According to Mercedes, her father always viewed emerging technology with curiosity rather than fear. He saw it as a way to expand storytelling possibilities, not limit them. And in her view, this film is continuing that mindset, not rewriting it.
Still, the bigger debate isn’t going anywhere. As AI becomes more capable, the line between tribute and replacement will keep getting blurrier. As Deep as the Grave might just be one of the first major emotional test cases of that shift. And whether people see it as respectful or unsettling, one thing is clear — the industry is entering a phase where legacy, technology, and ethics are all colliding in ways we haven’t fully figured out yet.
