The article includes no video, but does have an image (allegedly from the film) of Kilmer in the role of Father Finlan.
https://variety.com/2026/film/news/val-kilmer-ai-film-as-deep-as-the-grave-1236691042/
Five years prior to his death in 2025, Val Kilmer was cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, in “As Deep as the Grave.” But Kilmer, who was battling throat cancer, was too sick to ever make it to set.
“He was the actor I wanted to play this role,” says the film’s writer and director Coerte Voorhees. “It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest. I was looking at a call sheet the other day, and we had him ready to shoot. He was just going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn’t do it.”
Even though he didn’t shoot a single scene, Voorhees has been able to realize his vision of having Kilmer in the ensemble by using state-of-the-art generative AI. And he’s done it with the cooperation of the late actor’s estate and his daughter Mercedes (Voorhees says Kilmer’s son Jack is also supportive).
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With his family's permission I don't see the problem. If superior quality, why not. It was inevitable that this would be happening. People started asking Jimmy Dean's estate for permission, years ago. Last I heard they said no. End of subject.
Pretty soon, AI-invented characters will be as or more famous than real ones.
Hopefully they new AI isn't a bunch of woke Tards.
I've always loved vals movies, but we've learned he likes little kids. So, I'm sure it's woke af.