Recent reports suggest that the late Hollywood star Val Kilmer is making an unexpected return to the screen—one year after his passing. Val Kilmer has been digitally resurrected using generative AI for the upcoming film “As Deep as the Grave”.
In 2020, Val Kilmer was cast in the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest, in the film “Canyon of the Dead”. At the time, the late actor was battling advanced cancer, a condition that prevented him from filming scenes for the movie for an extended period. Now, in 2026—one year after his death—Val Kilmer is set to return to the screen in this film. However, the movie’s title has since been changed from “Canyon of the Dead” to “As Deep as the Grave”. The first look of the film has already been released.
The film’s writer and director, Coerte Voorhees, stated:
“He was the actor I wanted to play this role. 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.”
According to reports, the generative AI work is being carried out with Val Kilmer’s permission and with the support of his family and estate. The actor’s family and production team have also provided photographs from his youth. The estate has also received compensation for this work.
Director Carte Voorhees added:
“His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this. 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 might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”
It’s about to get real folks. @Variety is amplifying an exclusive by @flickeringmyth about an AI recreation of Val Kilmer in an upcoming film. pic.twitter.com/ovJ1EkRsDf
— Patrick Perez (@patrickperez1) March 19, 2026
The film “As Deep as the Grave” centers on Southwestern archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, exploring the history of the Navajo people and examining the excavations they conducted at Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. In addition to Val Kilmer, the cast features Abigail Lawrie, Wes Studi, Tom Felton, and Abigail Breslin.
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What was Val Kilmer’s official cause of death?
Val Kilmer passed away in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles on April 1, 2025, at the age of 65. At the time, Val Kilmer’s immediate cause of death was reported as pneumonia. His death certificate listed acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue, chronic respiratory failure, malnutrition, and tracheocutaneous fistula. His funeral was held six days after his death, on April 7, 2025.
Val Kilmer Movies
In 1984, Val Kilmer was made his acting debut as Nick Rivers in the “Top Secret!” movie. He was well-known for his role as Iceman in Top Gun (1986), Madmartigan in Willow (1988), Doc Holliday in Tombstone (1993), Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991), Chris Shiherlis in Heat (1995), and Batman / Bruce Wayne in Batman Forever (1995). Val Kilmer was also worked in many movies, Television, and theatre.
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