"He was the actor I wanted to play this role. It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest. I was looking at a call sheet the other day, and we had him ready to shoot. He was just going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn't do it."
"His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this. He really thought it was important story that he wanted his name on. It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, okay let's do this. Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted."
Hollywood faces ongoing debates about AI's role in entertainment, with skeptics predicting digital apocalypse scenarios. However, the novelty of AI-generated content may wear off quickly. The upcoming film "As Deep as the Grave" will test audience acceptance by featuring Val Kilmer, who passed away in 2025 from throat cancer, recreated through generative AI. Kilmer was originally cast years before his illness worsened and could not complete filming. Director Coerte Voorhees worked with Kilmer's family estate to generate the actor's likeness, stating the role was specifically designed around Kilmer's heritage and connection to the Southwest. The family supported the decision, believing Kilmer wanted to be part of this important story.
Read at Esquire
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