Starring alongside Tom Cruise in the 1986 action film, Top Gun, Val Kilmer portrayed Lt. Tom Kazansky, aka Iceman, serving as a rival to Cruise’s Pete Maverick, a role he would later reprise in the 2022 sequel. Their dynamic, which evolved from a playful rivalry to a deep friendship, captivated fans.
However, Kilmer’s candid revelation about his initial reservations about the original film not only adds depth to this dynamic but also offers a compelling insight into his artistic integrity and values, along with his professionalism and dedication to his craft.
Val Kilmer Was Reluctant About Starring in Top Gun
In the 2021 Amazon Prime documentary, Val, which offers an insight into the Hollywood star Val Kilmer’s life with behind-the-scenes clips and images, the actor revealed that he was offered the role of Iceman in Tony Scott’s action film due to his performance in Top Secret.
And he also revealed that he was reluctant to accept the offer, as he perceived the story of the film as silly and due to his personal dislike for the portrayal of war in films. “Believe it or not, I didn’t want to do Top Gun at first,” he said while explaining,
I felt the script was silly, and disliked warmongering in film. But I was under contract with the studio, so I didn’t really have a choice. It was the director Tony Scott’s colorful vision and energy that made the whole experience enjoyable. It was hard not to be seduced by it.
Scott’s vibrant vision not only convinced him to embrace the role but he also had an enjoyable experience. Kilmer’s willingness to engage with the material and find value in the collaborative process, despite his initial reluctance, highlights his evolution from skepticism to enthusiasm.
And his return in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick underscores his enduring appreciation of the stories shared in the 1986 film, along with a deep respect for his craft and for the creative vision of his colleagues.
Val Kilmer Attempted to Sabotage His Top Gun Audition
Val Kilmer has shared that despite his reservations, he had to audition for the role due to his contract with the studio. While he couldn’t say no to the offer, he did attempt to deliberately ruin his audition to lead the filmmakers to reject him for the role in Top Gun.
“I showed up at the audition because that’s what actors do when they’re asked to audition,” he said in his memoir, I’ll Be Your Huckleberry. The actor further shared, “I showed up looking the fool, or the goon. I wore oversize gonky Australian shorts in nausea green. I read the lines indifferently.”
However, despite all his attempts to ruin his audition he still got the part, as filmmaker Tony Scott was keen to have him in the role of Iceman. And unlike the 1986 film, the actor expressed his wish to return to his iconic role when discussions about the sequel began.
Top Gun film series is available to stream on Paramount+.
The post “I felt the script was silly, and disliked warmongering in film”: Val Kilmer’s ‘Maverick’ Return Will Make You Respect Him Even More After What He Said About Tom Cruise’s Original Top Gun appeared first on FandomWire.
