Val Kilmer AI deepfake in 'As Deep as the Grave' trailer sparks outrage - Mashable
The trailer for 'As Deep as the Grave' sparked outrage after revealing Val Kilmer's entire performance was generated by AI following the actor's death.
- Incident date
- Apr 2026
- Target
- Val Kilmer
The film 'As Deep as the Grave' generated controversy after its trailer revealed that the late actor Val Kilmer's performance was entirely created using AI. The film, set in the 1920s, features Kilmer as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist.
What happened
Kilmer was originally cast in the film, but delays and health issues prevented him from filming any scenes. Rather than recasting the role, the filmmakers opted to use generative AI to create a digital likeness and voice for Kilmer. While Kilmer had previously worked with AI to recreate his voice in 'Top Gun: Maverick', this was the first time his likeness and voice were entirely AI-generated for a film role. The decision sparked widespread criticism online, with many labeling it disrespectful and raising concerns about the ethical implications of using AI to create performances from deceased actors.