Arabic version: صناع الأفلام يبررون استخدام الذكاء الاصطناعي لوال كيلمر في فيلم جديد

The creators of the upcoming film *As Deep as the Grave* have defended their decision to use an AI-generated version of the late Val Kilmer, who plays a prominent role in the movie. According to ABC News, the filmmakers, brothers Coerte and John Voorhees, received consent from Kilmer’s children to proceed with the digital depiction.

The film, a historical drama centered on the lives of archaeologists Ann and Earl Morris, features Kilmer as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist. The trailer, recently unveiled at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, showcases Kilmer’s likeness crafted using archival footage, photos, and voice recordings.

The use of AI in the film has sparked debate, with some social media users labeling the trailer as “terrifying” and “disgusting.” However, the Voorhees brothers maintain that their approach is ethical and compliant with industry standards, having followed guidelines set by the actors’ union, SAG-AFTRA.

Coerte Voorhees expressed confidence in the technology, stating that audiences would likely not distinguish between AI-generated and human performances. John Voorhees emphasized that Kilmer’s estate was involved throughout the process and that they were compensated for the digital replication.

Kilmer, who died at the age of 65 in 2025 from pneumonia after battling throat cancer, had originally signed on for the role years prior, but his health issues prevented him from filming. The filmmakers initially considered recasting but ultimately sought permission from Kilmer’s children to utilize AI for the role instead. They are optimistic that their work will demonstrate a positive application of AI in Hollywood, despite the ongoing discussions about the implications of such technology in the entertainment industry.