First look at AI-generated Val Kilmer after controversial decision to bring back late star for new film

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A digitally recreated version of Val Kilmer, made using artificial intelligence, has been revealed. This comes after news that the late actor will appear in one last role created after his death.

The famous actor passed away on April 1, 2025, at 65 years old, after fighting throat cancer. He had already committed to appearing in the film As Deep As The Grave before his death.

Due to health issues, Val Kilmer couldn’t film his scenes. To overcome this, the filmmakers used artificial intelligence to recreate his portrayal of Father Fintan, a priest and Native American spiritual leader.

Although many actors have spoken out against using AI to recreate performances, this particular decision was made with the full support of Val Kilmer’s estate and his children, Mercedes and Jack. They provided photos and video footage of a younger Kilmer, as well as material from his later years, to assist in creating the AI version.

Coerte Voorhees, the writer and director, shared with Variety that Val Kilmer’s family emphasized how meaningful the film was and how much Val himself wanted to participate.

Honestly, seeing him believe in this story so much, wanting his name attached to it, that’s what really pushed me over the edge. It gave me the courage to say, ‘Let’s make this happen!’ I knew it might ruffle some feathers, people might even call it controversial, but it was exactly what Val always dreamed of. It had to be done.

Val Kilmer’s daughter, Mercedes, shared that her father consistently viewed new technologies with hope, seeing them as ways to enhance and broaden creative storytelling.

We’re all paying tribute to his memory and the special energy he brought to this film, as he was a key part of it.

Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Wes Studi, and Abigail Breslin all star in the film.

Many fans reacted negatively to the news of Kilmer’s return, expressing their disappointment on X (formerly Twitter) in response to a Variety article.

Someone expressed strong disapproval of using AI to recreate the likeness of deceased individuals, stating that regardless of any permissions granted, it shouldn’t be allowed and should even be made illegal. They believe it’s wrong to digitally ‘revive’ the appearance of people who have passed away.

Someone else commented that no matter how much anyone tries to justify this, it remains deeply unethical and motivated by greed. They believe the family involved should feel embarrassed.

This isn’t the first time artificial intelligence has helped bring one of Val Kilmer’s characters to life. Fans were deeply moved when he reprised his role as Lieutenant Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky in the Top Gun sequel, and AI played a part in making that possible.

After news of his passing, a touching scene from his last movie role in Top Gun: Maverick, featuring Tom Cruise, began circulating online.

Val Kilmer became well-known for playing Iceman in the original Top Gun film from 1986, and Tom Cruise, now 62, strongly supported his return to reprise the role of his character’s on-screen competitor.

Val Kilmer had trouble with his voice after a throat cancer diagnosis and a tracheotomy in 2014. However, for a recent hit movie in 2022, filmmakers used artificial intelligence to recreate his voice.

Viewers were deeply moved when Iceman, now an Admiral, reappeared on screen with Tom Cruise’s character, Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell.

Iceman spoke to Maverick by typing messages, and artificial intelligence was used to recreate Val Kilmer’s voice so audiences could hear some of his lines spoken aloud.

Okay, so after that amazing scene where Iceman basically told Maverick to finally deal with his baggage and just…move forward? Ugh, I was a mess! Then, they showed the funeral. His friend’s funeral. It absolutely broke my heart. Seriously, I was sobbing right along with him. It was such a powerful moment, seeing him finally say goodbye.

Honestly, I was completely heartbroken watching those scenes when they first aired, and I’ve found myself revisiting that incredibly moving moment ever since hearing about Val Kilmer’s passing. It’s just so powerful and emotional, it still gets to me every time.

The famous actor, best known for his roles in movies like Top Gun and Batman, died of pneumonia on April 1, 2025, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ. This followed an announcement last week by his daughter, who shared that a lung infection was the cause of his death.

The official cause of death, as listed on the Los Angeles County Department of Health certificate, was a combination of factors: the patient’s lungs stopped working due to a lack of oxygen, a long-term breathing problem, and cancer of the tongue.

Squamous cell carcinoma, or laryngeal cancer, is a cancer that starts in the flat cells which line the throat, including the voice box (larynx) and upper throat (pharynx).

Eleven years ago, Val Kilmer announced he was fighting throat cancer. He needed several emergency surgeries to open his airway, and these procedures have left him with lasting changes to his speech.

The actor announced in 2020 that he’d been cancer-free for four years, but his death certificate shows the disease unfortunately returned.

Other things that can contribute to this issue include poor nutrition, and a tracheocutaneous fistula – a hole that forms between the windpipe and the skin, often after a tracheostomy tube is taken out.

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2026-03-20 11:34