CinemaCon always delivers a few surprises, but this one hit with a strange mix of intrigue and unease. During the Las Vegas event, audiences got their first look at As Deep as the Grave, a film already stirring conversation thanks to its use of AI to bring Val Kilmer back to the screen.
The project has been in the works for years. Kilmer originally signed on before production began in 2020, but delays caused by the pandemic and other setbacks pushed filming into uncertain territory.
After Kilmer’s passing at 65 following his well-documented cancer battle, the filmmakers made the controversial decision to complete his role using AI. According to reports, his estate and family approved the use of his likeness.
The trailer, set mostly in shadowy, nighttime environments, introduces Father Fintan, a priest with ties to Native American spirituality. Kilmer’s character feels caught between worlds, both spiritually and technologically.
The visuals don’t fully commit to realism either. In some moments, the priest appears much older, possibly aged up through AI, while in others he looks strikingly young, almost like his Top Gun era.
That shifting appearance adds to the film’s unsettling tone, especially since other characters in the same scenes also appear digitally rendered. It creates a dreamlike, slightly off-balance atmosphere that feels intentional, even if it raises questions about what we’re actually looking at.
Then there’s the voice. Kilmer’s voice was always a defining part of his presence, smooth but intense, controlled yet unpredictable. Replicating that with AI is no small task, and the trailer gives just a brief sample. When his character finally speaks, it’s the only clear line of dialogue:
“Don’t fear the dead and don’t fear me.” The delivery is soft, almost whispered, but it doesn’t fully capture the unique texture that made Kilmer’s performances so compelling. It’s close enough to be recognizable, but distant enough to feel like something else entirely.
The film itself centers on Ann Axtell Morris, a real-life archaeologist whose work played a key role in uncovering Native American history. The story blends historical exploration with something more supernatural, hinted at through its tagline: “Some stories were too hidden to be found.”
Director Coerte Voorhees has confirmed that Kilmer’s AI-driven performance isn’t just a brief appearance. The character is expected to be on screen for 1 hour and 17 minutes, making him a central figure in the film rather than a cameo or digital afterthought.
That creative choice makes As Deep as the Grave one of the more fascinating and complicated projects on the horizon. It’s not just about storytelling, it’s about where filmmaking is heading and how far studios are willing to go to preserve performances after an actor is gone.
Whether audiences embrace it or feel unsettled by it, one thing is clear it’s going to get people talking.
