Val Kilmer ‘s daughter, Mercedes Kilmer, is defending the late actor’s AI-generated appearance in the upcoming indie film “ As Deep as the Grave .” Kilmer’s image and likeness were recreated using generative AI for the film with the cooperation of his estate and daughter. The actor, who died in 2025 after battling throat cancer, was cast in the historical action film “As Deep as the Grave” but was too sick to shoot his role. Diagnosed with cancer in 2014, Kilmer had previously partnered with U.K.-based company Sonantic to create an AI-powered speaking voice when he reprised his role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in 2022’s “Top Gun: Maverick.” Mercedes Kilmer appeared on the “Today Show” to discuss the mixed reactions fans had to her father’s AI-generated role. Popular on Variety “It started off as a way to overcome the limitations of his illness, but then it evolved into something that he really was like, ‘Oh, wait. I have a chance to actually set a precedent,’” she said. “It’s kind of fallen into two camps.…