Overview
- Mercedes Kilmer, who spoke on Today Wednesday, said her father wanted the project to set clear rules for licensing and fair pay.
- The filmmakers say they obtained permission from the Kilmer estate and paid it in line with SAG‑AFTRA guidance on consent and compensation.
- The team recreated Father Fintan using generative AI trained on Val Kilmer’s voice recordings, archival footage, and family photos.
- Writer‑director Coerte Voorhees says the role was built for Kilmer, who was later too ill to shoot, which prompted the AI approach.
- Reactions in Hollywood are split, with many early‑career artists worried about job risks while others view licensed AI use as a way to protect actors’ IP, and the film is planned for 2026 without a set date.