Val Kilmer AI Debuts in As Deep As the Grave Trailer
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- Val Kilmer' AI-generated voice, based on his archival recordings, was created by UK‑based Sonantic for the film As Deep As the Grave.
- Mercedes Kilmer and the estate collaborated with the filmmakers on a visual deepfake of Val Kilmer for the film.
- Coerte Voorhees confirmed that Kilmer appears for about an hour of the film’s runtime, playing Father Fintan across multiple time periods.
- CinemaCon trailer shows Kilmer’s character kneeling and telling a child, “Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.”
- SAG‑AFTRA guidelines were followed and Kilmer’s estate was financially compensated for the use of his likeness and voice.
- Bruce Willis and other actors such as Matthew McConaughey, Michael Caine, and estates of Laurence Olivier, Judy Garland, and James Dean have also licensed AI versions of their voices for productions.
Why it matters: Kilmer’s estate earns compensation for licensing his AI‑generated voice and likeness, and the studio secures a marquee name without new filming, illustrating how authorized deep‑fake technology can monetize posthumous performances and reshape casting economics for future productions and could reduce the need for costly reshoots.
