Val Kilmer is set to appear on screen again in an unexpected development. With the help of artificial intelligence, the Top Gun star will take on a major role in a film release following his death. Kilmer had been cast in the role before his passing, but was unable to report to the set. Generative AI technology has now been used to recreate the actor’s performance for the new film. This move that has drawn strong criticism from some viewers.
Late Val Kilmer resurrected by AI, and fans have thoughts
Val Kilmer, who passed away in 2025, is expected to appear on screen again in Coerte Voorhees’s As Deep as the Grave. However, Kilmer was unable to film his scenes after signing on to the project. He passed away shortly afterward.
With the help of generative AI technology, Kilmer’s likeness has been recreated for the film. “He was the actor I wanted to play this role,” writer and director Coerte Voorhees said about the decision (via Variety). “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.”
Val Kilmer did not film any scenes for the movie. However, Voorhees was able to recreate his likeness using generative AI technology. It was with the cooperation of the late actor’s estate and his daughter, Mercedes.
The decision has prompted widespread reactions on social media platforms such as X and Reddit. Some users expressed mixed reactions. The development has contributed to renewed debate about the use of artificial intelligence in the film industry.
In Variety’s post on X, several users shared their reactions. “Did he say he was cool with this kinda thing before he died? If not, probably a gross thing to do..” one user wrote, while another said, “In Hollywood, when you die, they resurrect you with AI and force you to keep working.” Yet another user wrote, “I do not care how much permission they had to do this; no one should be allowed to do this. It should be illegal to resurrect the visage of dead people with genAI imo.”
Despite the criticism, Voorhees defended the decision while discussing the topic.
“His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this,” Voorhees added. “He really thought it was important story that he wanted his name on. It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, okay let’s do this. Despite the fact some people may consider it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”
