United Kingdom, March 18 -- Val Kilmer has been digitally recreated using generative AI for the forthcoming film As Deep as the Grave.

Nearly a year after the Top Gun star's death, the move has been described as "controversial" by the movie's director Coerte Voorhees, who confirmed he used AI to complete Val's role as Father Fintan after the actor was unable to film his scenes during production in 2020 due to health issues.

Val died in April, 2025, aged 65 from pneumonia following long-term health struggles stemming from a 2014 throat cancer diagnosis and related treatments including a tracheotomy that left him using a voice box.

He is said to have been ready to shoot As Deep as the Grave before his condition prevented him from taking ...