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This is one of those things that makes you stop mid-scroll and say… wait, what? According to Flickering Myth, the late Val Kilmer is appearing in a brand-new action-adventure movie, years after filming wrapped and months after his passing. And yes, AI is involved.
Several years before his death last April, Kilmer signed on to star in Canyon of the Dead, also known as Canyon Del Muerto. The film is inspired by the true story of Ann and Earl Morris, the archaeologists who helped uncover one of North America’s earliest civilizations, the Anasazi Basketmakers.
It’s the kind of rugged historical adventure that feels tailor-made for Kilmer’s screen presence. Now the film is complete, and Kilmer appears in it through the use of AI technology. According to reports, his inclusion comes with the full blessing of his family, so at least they have permission.
The movie is written and directed by Coerte Voorhees, best known for The First Line, and it’s currently being presented to buyers at the European Film Market.
While first-look images and a poster have been released, there’s no official look at Kilmer’s AI recreation just yet. He does appear in the sales trailer being screened at EFM this weekend, but that footage hasn’t been released.
Let’s be real, though. This is strange territory. Hollywood has been inching toward this kind of thing for years, but seeing it applied to a beloved actor who passed away not long ago hits differently. It raises all kinds of questions about performance, legacy, and what it means to “appear” in a film.
To be clear, this isn’t the first time Kilmer’s likeness or voice has been digitally assisted. He previously worked with voice-AI company Sonantic to create a synthetic version of his voice for his appearance in Top Gun: Maverick.
That collaboration happened before his passing and was done with his direct involvement. This time, it’s different. This time, it’s posthumous.
The cast of Canyon of the Dead also includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Ewen Bremner, Wes Studi, Finn Jones, and Bronson Webb. It’s a mix of familiar faces and solid character actors wrapped around a story about real-life archaeological discovery in the American Southwest.
This is a grounded historical adventure based on real people and real events. Dropping an AI-recreated actor into that mix feels weird.
The movie industry has been experimenting with de-aging and digital doubles for years, but this feels like a new chapter. It’s one thing to tweak a performance. It’s another to rebuild one. Some fans will see it as a tribute. Others might feel uneasy. Both reactions are understandable.
Star Wars: Rogue One brought Peter Cushing back to life to play Grand Moff Tarkin usiing CGI tech and digital artists. AI just makes the process a lot easier.
At the end of the day, Kilmer’s presence in Canyon of the Dead will spark conversation no matter what. It’s a major test case for how AI technology could be used moving forward, especially when it comes to actors who are no longer with us.
So what do you think? Is this a respectful way to honor Kilmer’s commitment to the project, or does it cross a line? However you land on it, one thing’s for sure… Hollywood isn’t done experimenting with AI, and this probably won’t be the last time we see something like this.
