A NEW Hollywood feud has exploded after a Twilight star accused Val Kilmer’s daughter of ‘capitalising on his death for financial gain’ with a new AI movie.
The late Hollywood legend – who died last April after a battle with throat cancer – appears recreated in new movie As Deep as the Grave.
But the decision for the late actor’s likeness to appear as if he was still alive and acting has left another Hollywood star furious.
Jackson Rathbone – who played Jasper Hale in the vampire films – has hit out about the late star’s likeness being recreated with AI for a movie.
He posted on X: “Hey @sagaftra – about that strike we had.. You owe us an explanation. This is cool?”
He then turned his attention to Val’s daughter Mercedes, adding: “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 capitalizing on your father’s death for your own financial gain?
“This is truly the MOST disgusting thing I’ve ever seen .. Get f’d .. yall are gross.”
The Batman and Top Gun star passed away in Los Angeles in April 2025, but had previously been cast in the film.
Five years before his death, Val was cast as Father Fintan, a Catholic priest and Native American spiritualist, in As Deep as the Grave.
But the 90s heartthrob was too sick to make it to the set as he battled throat cancer.
The project “uses both younger images of Kilmer, many of them provided by his family, and footage from his final years to show his character in various stages of his life.”
Mercedes previously said: “He always looked at emerging technologies with optimism as a tool to expand the possibilities of storytelling.
“This spirit is something that we are all honoring within this specific film, of which he was an integral part.”
The film’s director Coerte Voorhees has since said: “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.
“I was looking at a call sheet the other day, and we had him ready to shoot. He was just going through a really, really tough time medically, and he couldn’t do it.”
Coerte added: “His family kept saying how important they thought the movie was and that Val really wanted to be a part of this.
“He really thought it was important story that he wanted his name on. It was that support that gave me the confidence to say, okay let’s do this.
“Despite the fact some people might call it controversial, this is what Val wanted.”
