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<\/p>\nJackson 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“Hey @sagaftra, about that strike we had.. You owe us an explanation. This is cool?” he wrote.<\/p>\n
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?”<\/p>\n
The star has hit out at the actors daughter <\/p>\n
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He branded the project “the MOST disgusting thing I’ve ever seen.”<\/p>\n
The Top Gun and Batman star passed away in Los Angeles in April 2025 following a lengthy battle with throat cancer.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
However, the 1990s heartthrob’s deteriorating health prevented him from ever appearing on set to film his scenes.<\/p>\n
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Val Kilmer’s daughter has defended the decision to use AI <\/p>\n
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The production team subsequently turned to artificial intelligence to bring his character to life on screen.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Mercedes Kilmer has defended the decision to use AI technology to complete her father’s final film role.<\/p>\n
She stated that her father had always viewed new technologies with enthusiasm, seeing them as instruments to broaden creative possibilities in cinema.<\/p>\n
![\"Val](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/val-kilmer.jpg\")
The star died of pneumonia back in April 2025<\/p>\n
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“He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling,” she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Mercedes emphasised that the production honours this forward-thinking approach that defined her father’s outlook.<\/p>\n
“This spirit is something that we are all honouring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part,” she added.<\/p>\n
The Kilmer family’s involvement extended beyond merely granting permission, with relatives actively providing archival images and supporting the project throughout its development.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
The director recalled having Mr Kilmer scheduled and ready to shoot, but the actor’s severe medical difficulties made filming impossible.<\/p>\n
Mr Voorhees credited the family’s unwavering encouragement as crucial to proceeding with the AI recreation.<\/p>\n
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The actor has some of the most iconic roles over his career <\/p>\n
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“His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this,” he explained.<\/p>\n
“Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”<\/p>\n