A new film, “As Deep as the Grave,” will feature the late Val Kilmer in a leading role using AI to recreate his image and voice, with his family’s approval. This groundbreaking use of generative AI has sparked debate in Hollywood about the ethics of AI-generated actors and the future of human performers.
A new controversy has emerged in Hollywood following the announcement that the late Val Kilmer will star in an upcoming film, “As Deep as the Grave,” through the use of generative AI. Kilmer, a beloved actor from the 1980s and 1990s, passed away in April 2023 before he could begin filming the historical epic. The movie centers on a pair of archaeologists in America’s Southwest and is being described as the first of its kind to feature a fully AI-generated performance by a deceased actor.
Kilmer’s family has given their approval for the use of his voice and image through AI, stating that he had agreed to participate in the film years before his death. His daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, emphasized that her father was always optimistic about new technologies and saw them as tools to expand storytelling possibilities. The family believes that allowing his likeness to be used in this way honors his spirit and his forward-thinking approach to filmmaking.
The use of AI to recreate Kilmer’s performance is not entirely unprecedented. In 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick,” filmmakers used AI to enhance Kilmer’s voice as he was battling throat cancer. However, the complete recreation of his image and voice for a new leading role marks a significant step forward in the use of AI in the film industry.
This development has reignited debates about the ethical implications of AI-generated actors. Last September, the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA discouraged the use of AI-generated performers, expressing opposition to replacing human actors with synthetic ones. The union did not respond to requests for comment on this specific case, but its president, Sean Astin, previously acknowledged the need to balance innovation with respect for human performers.
As Hollywood navigates this new technological frontier, the case of Val Kilmer’s AI-generated performance raises important questions about consent, legacy, and the future of acting. While some see it as an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of filmmaking, others worry about the potential consequences for the industry and for the rights of performers, both living and deceased.