AI Recreates Val Kilmer for ‘As Deep as the Grave’ as Trailer Debuts at CinemaCon

Overview

• The film’s first trailer screened at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Wednesday, revealing an AI version of Kilmer in As Deep as the Grave with release expected later in 2026.
• Kilmer died in April 2025 at age 65 from pneumonia, and he had not recorded any new scenes for this production.
• Producers Coerte and John Voorhees say his children, Mercedes and Jack, gave permission, provided archival footage, and were compensated.
• They report the AI Kilmer appears on screen for about 1 hour and 17 minutes, and they have not shared full details of the technology used.
• The team says the approach follows the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA’s guidance on consent, compensation, and collaboration, reflecting ongoing industry concern over AI since the 2023 strikes.