Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, who died last year, will appear on screen through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
The Associated Press said on the 18th (local time) that an AI-created Kilmer appears in the independent film "As Deep as the Grave," which is scheduled to be released this year.
In movie stills exclusively released by the entertainment outlet Variety, Val Kilmer appears in a cassock with a wistful expression. A lifelike face that is hard to distinguish from a real photo fills the screen.
The film is based on the true story of an archaeologist couple excavating relics in the American Southwest in the early 20th century. Val Kilmer had promised to appear in the film while alive, but he could not actually shoot due to deteriorating health.
Kilmer later died, but the director, believing Kilmer was the best fit for the role of Father Fincher, obtained permission from his family for a digital replica.
Mercedes Kilmer, Val Kilmer's daughter, explained the background of consenting to the AI recreation, saying, "My father always viewed new technology positively as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling."
In fact, while battling throat cancer, Kilmer lost his voice, but he made a cameo in the 2022 film "Top Gun: Maverick" and recreated his voice with AI.
Kilmer played a Navy fighter pilot with the call sign "Iceman" in the 1986 film "Top Gun." He later appeared in films including "The Doors" (1991) and "Heat" (1995), and he starred in "Batman Forever."
During his career, a series of reports about discord with directors and fellow actors he worked with led to the nickname "Hollywood bad boy."