Musician Mercedes Kilmer, 34, defended the use of artificial intelligence to recreate her father’s image and voice, Val Kilmer (1959-2025), in the film “As Deep As The Grave” (still untitled in Portuguese).
O, aged 65, due to complications linked to throat cancer diagnosed in 2014. Over the years, he underwent treatments such as a tracheostomy, and started using an electronic device to communicate.
Kilmer stops the action film due to his worsening health condition. Director Coerte Voorhees then chose to complete the star’s participation through digital tools, using existing images, photographs and audio recordings.
The decision had the authorization of the artist’s family and estate – responsible for managing his image rights and intellectual property after his death. Kilmer himself had previously used technology, working with the company Sonantic to recreate his voice in the film “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022).
In an interview with the North American program Today, Mercedes lamented the negative repercussions of the initiative.
“It started as a way to overcome the limitations of his illness, but then it evolved into something where he really realized, ‘Wait, I have an opportunity to set a precedent.'”
The artist’s daughter explained that the use of the tool has divided opinions within the industry.
“It ended up splitting into two groups. People who maybe have a more vulnerable position in the industry and see AI as a threat – which is totally valid – and younger people, actors and musicians. I’m a musician, and a lot of people I know are scared of this technology.”
Mercedes said she believes AI can protect artists’ rights to their own image.
“At the same time, I’ve received a lot of positive reactions, especially from more experienced people in the industry, who see this as a way to protect actors’ intellectual property. We’re going to have to deal with this technology one way or another. Avoiding it is not necessarily the way to go. It’s much easier to structure rights when you license something proactively,” he opined.
The film does not yet have a release date.
