43.0% chaos · brewing culture clash 3 sources yesterday

'We Can't Roll Camera Again. We Don't Have the Budget' — AI-Generated Val Kilmer Will Appear in Upcoming Indie Movie With Family's Blessing

What happened

Val Kilmer, who died in April 2025, will appear as a priest in the upcoming indie film 'As Deep as the Grave' through AI technology. The digital resurrection has been approved by Kilmer's family. The filmmakers are using AI to generate Kilmer's performance, citing budget constraints that prevented them from recasting or reshooting scenes.

Why people care

This represents one of the first major uses of AI to posthumously recreate a well-known actor's full performance in a film. The case raises questions about digital consent, the ethics of AI resurrection, and how the entertainment industry Have ">might handle deceased performers' likenesses going forward.

The takes

Supporters say

The family gave their blessing for the project, suggesting they're comfortable with honoring Kilmer's memory this way. The filmmakers had legitimate budget constraints and couldn't afford to recast or reshoot, making AI a practical solution to complete the film.

Critics say

Using AI to resurrect deceased actors sets a troubling precedent for the industry and raises serious ethical questions about consent and exploitation. The technology could potentially devalue living actors' work and create uncomfortable situations where deceased performers are used without proper consideration of their wishes.

Sources