CinemaCon: AI-generated Val Kilmer movie debuts trailer

Key Points:

• The indie film "As Deep as the Grave" features an AI-rendered version of the late Val Kilmer, debuting a first look at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, with Kilmer portraying Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist.
• Kilmer, who died in 2023, was digitally recreated for the film with permission and collaboration from his estate and the actors union, following guidelines emphasizing consent, compensation, and collaboration.
• The filmmakers, Coerte and John Voorhees, described the AI portrayal as influenced by Kilmer rather than a direct performance, comparing it to traditional portrayals of historical figures and noting Kilmer's prior use of AI for his voice.
• Kilmer had originally signed on to the film but withdrew due to health issues; after deciding not to recast, the filmmakers worked with Kilmer's children to ethically proceed with the AI recreation to retain the character's essential role.
• Kilmer appears on screen for over an hour in the film, which was shot starting in 2020 amid the pandemic, and is expected to be released later in 2024.