Val Kilmer had an emotional response after hearing his AI voice for the first time that featured on Top Gun: Maverick.
Earlier today, the tragic news was announced that the Batman Forever star passed away at the age of 65.
Kilmer’s daughter Mercedes told the New York Times that her father died from pneumonia yesterday (1 April).
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After rising to fame in 1986's Top Gun alongside Tom Cruise, Kilmer went on to star in 1995’s Batman Forever and Heat in the same year.
His last role was in sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which was released in 2022.
However, Kilmer lost his voice after undergoing a tracheotomy following a diagnosis of throat cancer in 2014.
The procedure was necessary to help him breathe, but it bypassed his vocal cords, preventing them from vibrating. As a result, he lost his natural voice, and was later forced to rely on a voice box.
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Although in 2021, the actor experienced a breakthrough when he heard his own voice again, recreated through artificial intelligence.
British AI company Sonantic used hours of past recordings from his films and interviews and created a remarkably accurate digital replica. Have a listen below:
Kilmer's AI voice was also used in Top Gun: Maverick, which allowed his character Iceman to speak in the film, marking an emotional return.
"I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way I’ve never imagined possible," he said.
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"As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me.
"The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift."
Sonantic's CTO and co-founder John Flynn said: "I remember talking to Jack [Val’s son] after presenting the voice model, and him telling us how powerful it was, like it was the first time he’d heard his dad’s voice in years, so he was quite moved."
Speaking of Kilmer's cameo in the action sequel, Cruise told Jimmy Kimmel in 2023: "I just want to say that was pretty emotional.
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"I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again."
Discussing his diagnosis and recovery in his 2020 memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry and Amazon Prime Documentary Val, he added: "I obviously am sounding much worse than I feel.
"I can’t speak without plugging this hole (in his throat). You have to make the choice to breathe or to eat. It’s an obstacle that is very present with whoever sees me."
Hollywood are paying tribute to the late actor, as the likes of Josh Brolin said on Instagram: "You were a smart, challenging, brave, uber-creative firecracker.
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"There’s not a lot left of those. I hope to see you up there in the heavens when I eventually get there. Until then, amazing memories, lovely thoughts."
And Frozen actor Josh Gad added: "RIP Val Kilmer. Thank you for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. You truly were an icon."
Topics: Val Kilmer, Celebrity, AI
Anish Vij