The team behind the independent movie “As Deep as the Grave” showcased a preview of the digitally resurrected Val Kilmer, generated using artificial intelligence technology, during a presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas. The character portrayed by Kilmer, Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Indigenous spiritualist, delivers a line at the conclusion of the trailer.
Val Kilmer, who passed away at the age of 65 due to pneumonia, was recreated using generative AI for this historical drama. The decision to utilize this technology stirred controversy when it was announced by the filmmakers recently. The trailer features Kilmer’s character depicted at various stages of his life.
Writer-director Coerte Voorhees, accompanied by his brother John, addressed the audience at a panel discussion regarding the contentious choice of utilizing AI to bring a deceased actor back to the screen. They explained the ethical considerations taken, including collaborating with Kilmer’s family and adhering to guidelines set by the actors’ union. While Coerte Voorhees refrained from labeling it as a Val Kilmer performance, he acknowledged the influence the late actor had on the recreated character.
Producer John Voorhees acknowledged the potential risks associated with employing AI-generated actors based on real individuals but highlighted the adherence to the guidelines established by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) union, emphasizing the importance of consent, compensation, and collaboration.
The utilization of synthetic performers, a category that includes AI creations not directly modeled after any real person, has sparked criticism within the industry. Despite some negative feedback, filmmakers like Timur Bekmambetov aim to incorporate such technology across Hollywood projects.
Apart from fully artificial performers, digital replicas of real individuals are also prominent in the industry. This category involves creating digital likenesses of specific individuals who may not be directly involved in the project. The use of computer technology to enhance or modify actors’ performances has a longstanding history predating the AI revolution, raising ethical and industry-related concerns.
Val Kilmer’s estate granted permission for his digital replication in “As Deep as the Grave,” providing archival footage to facilitate the process. Kilmer had previously engaged with AI technology to recreate his voice after medical complications affected his natural speech.
Despite initial challenges and uncertainties, the filmmakers decided to integrate the digitally recreated character of Father Fintan back into the narrative after Kilmer’s departure from the project due to health issues. The film is set to be released later this year, with Kilmer’s appearance totaling one hour and 17 minutes on screen.
