Brothers Coerte and John Voorhees said they had gained consent from Kilmer’s children to use AI to create his role in “As Deep as the Grave,” the story ​of archaeologists who explore the history of the Navajo people in New Mexico.

They said ​they used archival footage, photos and voice recordings to help craft the performance.

“We ⁠are 100% confident it’s really the right move with this specific film, and we’re really, really looking ​forward to everyone being able to judge it for themselves,” Coerte Voorhees, the movie’s writer and director, ​said in an interview at the CinemaCon convention for theatre owners in Las Vegas.

Kilmer, best known for his role in the “Top Gun” movies, had signed on to star in “As Deep as the Grave” several years ago but was unable ​to make it onto the set because of poor health.

He died a year ago at age 65 ​after a battle with throat cancer.

A trailer from the movie, released this week, showed Kilmer in the role of ‌Father ⁠Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist.

“Don’t fear the dead. And don’t fear me,” Kilmer’s likeness says in the trailer.

The trailer drew criticism on social media, with some commenters calling it “terrifying” and “disgusting.” “It’s called REST IN PEACE for a reason,” one said.

Coerte Voorhees said he did not think audiences who see the ​film will be able ​to tell that Kilmer’s ⁠role was not a human performance.

The brothers also said they hoped they were showing Hollywood how to use the technology positively.

Many actors ​are worried about unauthorised uses of their images that appear lifelike.

The ​Voorhees brothers said ⁠they had followed all guidelines on AI use set forth by the SAG-AFTRA actors union.

“We’re making a bold claim, (a) bold statement, which is that we believe we’re ethically doing this,” John Voorhees ⁠said. He ​said that not only had Kilmer’s estate given consent, but ​that the family had collaborated artistically “in every possible way.”

He added: “There’s so much change happening that, of course, it’s scary and it’s something ​that people are uncertain about.”