Actor Val Kilmer Persistently Pushed for Inclusion in Top Gun's Sequel Despite Suffering from Voice Loss
Val Kilmer, the renowned actor known for his roles in films like Top Gun, Batman Forever, and The Doors, has made a remarkable return to the silver screen, thanks to the groundbreaking work of British AI company Sonantic.
In the highly anticipated sequel to the 1986 action classic Top Gun, Kilmer reprises his role as Tom 'Iceman' Kazansky. Due to a tracheostomy he underwent to treat throat cancer in 2014, Kilmer's natural voice has been replaced by a voice box. However, thanks to Sonantic's cutting-edge technology, Kilmer's character can now speak in the movie with a voice that captures his unique tone, rhythm, and emotional inflections.
Sonantic's CTO, John Flynn, explained that their goal was to create a voice model Kilmer would be proud of, effectively "giving him his voice back" for creative projects like the Top Gun sequel. To achieve this, they analyzed and processed old audio recordings of Kilmer speaking before his throat cancer treatment, removing background noise and feeding them into sophisticated "voice engine" algorithms. These algorithms learned to emulate Kilmer's voice, resulting in a AI-generated voice model that not only sounds like him but also retains the emotional patterns in his speech.
This voice model was not created in haste. Sonantic created more than 40 different voice models for Kilmer, allowing them to select the one with the best quality and expression. Kilmer himself has praised the model, finding it powerful and reminiscent of his father's voice from years gone by. His son, Jack, shared similar sentiments, describing the voice model as a moving experience.
The AI technology used on Val Kilmer's voice has been likened to a 'Photoshop for voice', offering a level of precision and customization never before seen in voice synthesis. This technology can now be used by Kilmer for communicating in his professional and personal life, as well as for TV or film productions that require voice overs or replacement dialogue.
Val Kilmer's return as the 'Iceman' in Top Gun: Maverick has been praised by critics in early reviews of the film. The movie hits cinemas on May 25, promising to be a thrilling continuation of the original Top Gun story. Kilmer, for his part, is grateful to the team at Sonantic for restoring his voice and allowing him to continue his acting career.
- The groundbreaking work of British AI company Sonantic, as seen in Val Kilmer's return in the film Top Gun: Maverick, showcases the remarkable advancements in technology that are shaping news and entertainment.
- In the realm of science and health-and-wellness, the AI-generated voice model created for Val Kilmer can be compared to the level of precision and customization found in modern fitness-and-exercise or mental-health tech tools.
- During the production of Top Gun: Maverick, celebrities and fans alike are thrilled to see the resurgence of a beloved star, highlighting the intertwining aspects of movies-and-tv and entertainment.
- Sonantic's innovative AI technology not only impacts the field of entertainment but also shows potential in various areas where voice synthesis is crucial, such as presentations, voiceovers, or public speaking, making it a game-changing tool in the industry.
