The historical drama *As Deep as the Grave* has just released its first trailer, showcasing the stunning digital recreation of Val Kilmer. The actor, who died in 2025 from throat cancer, returns to the screen thanks to advanced generative artificial intelligence techniques, allowing his presence to be maintained in the narrative.
Kilmer was cast in the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic and Indigenous spiritual priest. When his health prevented filming, the actor’s estate, with the support of his daughter Mercedes Kilmer, authorized the use of AI to complete the performance. In the trailer shown at CinemaCon, the actor appears at different stages of the character’s life: as a spectral figure and, in another sequence, rejuvenated, portraying the priest in his youth.
The production justifies the choice of technology as a way to honor Kilmer’s legacy and ensure the character is represented according to the original plan. The cast includes names such as Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Tatanka Means, Jacob Fortune‑Lloyd, Wes Studi and Finn Jones, who share the screen with the digital version of the late actor.
There is still no official release date for *As Deep as the Grave*, but the trailer is already available at the bottom of the page, offering a glimpse of the true story of archaeologists studying Navajo culture in Arizona.
