An AI-Rendered Val Kilmer Will Posthumously Appear in a New Film
A year after the actor's death, a generative AI version of Val Kilmer will co-star in an independent film called 'As Deep as the Grave,' marking one of the boldest uses yet of artificial intelligence in moviemaking. The film has the blessing of Kilmer's family.
Why it matters
This sets a precedent for how deceased actors' likenesses can be used in entertainment through AI technology. It raises fundamental questions about consent, digital rights, and whether the entertainment industry should be able to resurrect performers after death, even with family approval.
Go deeper
Click a question to unpack this story layer by layer.
Where do you stand?
Should families have the right to license a deceased person's AI-generated likeness for commercial use?
Should AI-generated performances be eligible for acting awards and industry recognition?
Does this film represent a positive use of AI technology in the arts, or a troubling commodification of the dead?