Val Kilmer's daughter accused of 'capitalising' on father's death after AI brings iconic actor to screen: 'Are you sorry?'

Lauren Williams
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:48:56 +0000

Jackson Rathbone, best known for portraying Jasper Hale in the Twilight franchise, has launched a scathing attack on Val Kilmer's daughter Mercedes over the AI-recreated film As Deep as the Grave.

The actor took to X to express his fury at the late Hollywood star's digital recreation, first demanding answers from the actors' union SAG-AFTRA.

"Hey @sagaftra, about that strike we had.. You owe us an explanation. This is cool?" he wrote.

Mr Rathbone then directed his anger at Mercedes Kilmer, posting: "Wtf And dude .. Mercedes .. I'm sorry for your loss, but this move begs the question: are you sorry for your loss? Or are you capitalising on your father's death for your own financial gain?"

He branded the project "the MOST disgusting thing I've ever seen."

The Top Gun and Batman star passed away in Los Angeles in April 2025 following a lengthy battle with throat cancer.

Mr Kilmer had been cast in the role of Father Fintan, a Catholic priest with Native American spiritual connections, approximately five years prior to his death.

However, the 1990s heartthrob's deteriorating health prevented him from ever appearing on set to film his scenes.

The production team subsequently turned to artificial intelligence to bring his character to life on screen.

According to reports, the film combines younger photographs of Kilmer, many supplied by his family, alongside footage captured during his final years to depict his character across different life stages.

Mercedes Kilmer has defended the decision to use AI technology to complete her father's final film role.

She stated that her father had always viewed new technologies with enthusiasm, seeing them as instruments to broaden creative possibilities in cinema.

"He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling," she said.

Ms Mercedes emphasised that the production honours this forward-thinking approach that defined her father's outlook.

"This spirit is something that we are all honouring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part," she added.

The Kilmer family's involvement extended beyond merely granting permission, with relatives actively providing archival images and supporting the project throughout its development.

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Director Coerte Voorhees has spoken about why Kilmer was essential to the project, explaining that the role was specifically crafted with the actor in mind.

"He was the actor I wanted to play this role. It was very much designed around him. It drew on his Native American heritage and his ties to and love of the Southwest," Voorhees said.

The director recalled having Mr Kilmer scheduled and ready to shoot, but the actor's severe medical difficulties made filming impossible.

Mr Voorhees credited the family's unwavering encouragement as crucial to proceeding with the AI recreation.

"His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this," he explained.

"Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted."