PARTNERSHIPS | COMMUNITY | PODCAST | FRIENDS
As Deep As The Grave Stars An AI Val Kilmer
Courtesy of First Line Films
A new indie film, As Deep as the Grave, features an AI version of actor Val Kilmer in a significant role.
The Big Picture: There have been a few instances in which a deceased actor has been brought back to life using CGI, but Kilmer’s turn in As Deep as the Grave appears to be the most notable example of the tech so far. With approval granted to recreate Kilmer, it could serve as a blueprint for how to ethically include actors in films and shows after they’ve passed.
Behind The Scenes: In 2020, Val Kilmer had agreed to star as Father Fintan in the drama As Deep as the Grave… but became too ill with throat cancer to film it.
His death in 2025 would have been the end of that story… but filmmaker Coerte Voorhees found an alternative approach.
First off, Voorhees secured approval from the Kilmer estate and his two children, actors Mercedes and Jack. The production also received SAG approval and compensated the estate for Kilmer’s role.
He then used “younger images of Kilmer, many of them provided by his family, and footage from his final years to show his character in various stages of his life,” to generate the digital double, per Variety.
Additionally, Voorhees used recordings of Kilmer’s voice from later in life — something the actor also did when reprising his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick.
Final Credits: Interestingly, Voorhees initially tried to complete the film without including Kilmer’s role, but in post-production, he realized the movie didn’t work without it. The project lacked sufficient financing for reshoots, which necessitated the creative thinking behind using AI. Voorhees had apparently worked closely with Kilmer in developing the role, imbuing it with the actor’s Native American heritage… so it ultimately felt like the right move.
Coming Soon: Now audiences will have to judge whether the digital double measures up to the legendary man… which will likely be the ultimate deciding factor in whether more deals like this move forward.
Together with Pique
Start Your Spring With A Sip Of Vesper
If you’re reading TFP, you’re probably immersed in the hustle and bustle of keeping up with culture. It can be hard to slow down, take a breath, and intentionally relax.
Pique was founded to help people find a calmer rhythm. It’s a company that has crafted teas, botanicals, and minerals steeped in Eastern medicine and connects you with the natural world. They’re made with the highest-quality ingredients for people who want to perform at their highest-quality level.
For the transition from winter to spring, Pique recommends Vesper, the world’s first wellness aperitif.
It’s made with natural ingredients like L-theanine and Gentian root that support the nervous system and social ease — without numbing or overstimulating.
It promotes better sleep, clearer mornings, and calmer, more grounded evenings — perfect for those who struggle with daylight savings.
The flavor is sparkling, tart, herbaceous, and deeply sophisticated — something you actually want to savor.
Vesper is the next evolution in Pique’s mission to create rituals that support how you want to feel — without compromise.
PARTNERSHIPS | COMMUNITY | PODCAST | FRIENDS
Today’s email was written by David Vendrell.
Edited by Nick Comney. Polled and Copy-edited by Kait Cunniff.
Published by Darline Salazar.