As Deep As The Grave

Source: Courtesy of First Line Films

As Deep As The Grave

EXCLUSIVE: Mind The Gap Productions And Sales arrives at TIFF: The Market with international rights to the historical drama As Deep As The Grave featuring an AI version of the late Val Kilmer.

First Line Films’ Coerte Voorhees wrote and directed the story of archaeologists in search of an ancient American civilisation. John Voorhees is the producer and the cast includes Abigail Lawrie, Tom Felton, Abigail Breslin, Wes Studi, Ewen Bremner, and Jacob Fortune-Lloyd.

Kilmer, who plays a priest looking to build a new church, had signed on before the production was delayed by the pandemic and the actor fell ill and eventually died in 2025. However the filmmakers obtained permission from Kilmer’s surviving family’s to use AI to recreate him, complied with SAG-AFTRA guidelines, and ensured his estate members were compensated.

“While the use of AI is controversial and will never replace the authenticity of an actor’s real-life performance, in this instance used ethically with permission from Kilmer and his family, AI has been an essential tool in being able to honor Val Kilmer’s Cherokee heritage, his spirituality and his desire to bring the role of Father Fintan to life,” said Mind The Gap Productions And Sales founder Giulia Prenna.

Mind The Gap’s TIFF slate includes Eric Roberts, Cathy Moriarty, and Mena Suvari in Robert Sayegh’s thriller Beyond The Rush about an investigative reporter who goes undercover to expose a corrupt judge.

Prenna’s producing credits include 2021 SXSW best narrative feature and audience award winner The Fallout starring Jenna Ortega, and Office Uprising with Brenton Thwaites.

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