There's a lot of talk about Val Kilmer nowadays. Of course, a lot of that has to do with the A24 documentary, Val. Because of his horrible battle with throat cancer and his downfall in Hollywood, fans around the world have kind of made him an icon.
From one perspective, this makes sense. The man was just about everywhere in the 1990s. He was bona fide movie star. Val was Batman, after all. But he also had the reputation of being incredibly difficult. This is something that even Val has attested to.
But doesn't necessarily make his Hollywood story less interesting. In fact, it may make it even more fascinating.
Among Val's incredible and complicated career experiences is one that may surprise some of his biggest fans. The fact that he really didn't want to be in Top Gun is totally a shock, especially since the film remains one of his most beloved and most successful.
So why exactly did he not want to be in the famous Tom Cruise fighter pilot movie?
Val Is All In On The Top Gun Sequel, So Why Not The Original Film?
During a fascinating interview with The Independent, Val Kilmer admitted that he really didn't want to co-star in the 1986 blockbuster. Although he claimed that he 'begged' to be in the upcoming Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick. This is probably because of two reasons. First and foremost, he had a blast filming the first movie, which was directed by the late Tony Scott. There are even reports that he and Tom Cruise would spend their workdays pranking each other. In short, Val got along with his co-stars despite rumors that he and Tom fought on set.
But the other reason he wanted to return to the Top Gun franchise is due to the fact that he could use a big comeback. And there's no doubt that Top Gun: Maverick is going to be a hit when it finally releases in movie theaters in December (fingers crossed).
So, given Val's public excitement for both his involvement in the sequel as well as its upcoming release, fans are even more confused by his resistance to being in the first film.
Ultimately, the reason Val didn't want to be in the first Top Gun comes down to the fact that he was 'difficult'. Again, this is something that Val openly acknowledges about himself.
Yes, Val's attitude is why he didn't want to make Top Gun.
What Exactly Was Wrong With Val Kilmer's Attitude?
At the time that the Top Gun script crossed his radar, Val had signed a three-picture deal with Paramount. This is something that was very common for notable actors in the '80s and '90s, although the type of deal still exists today. Studios did everything they could to take advantage of an up-and-coming commodity and Val Kilmer was absolutely that in the late 1980s. So, Val didn't really have much of a choice to take the role of Iceman in Top Gun as he was required by Paramount Pictures to pick something.
According to Looper, Val had already filmed two of his required Paramount movies, Top Secret! and Real Genius. And his agent was certain that Top Gun was his last movie in the deal. Clearly, Val's agent saw something that Val couldn't. But this is because Val was being incredibly precious.
Val had been taught at the highly prestigious Jillard school and came from a theater background. When he read the script for Top Gun, he thought it was "silly". It wasn't up to the 'snobby' standards that led him to become an actor in the first place.
On top of this, he claims that he wasn't a big fan of the "warmongering" nature of the movie itself. But it's clear it was more about the fact it was a big, glossy, blockbuster movie versus the 'high art' Val was in the buisness for.
Despite his feelings, Val was in high demand at that point in his career therefore director Tony Scott did everything he could to persuade him to do the movie. After an initial meeting with Tony, Val found himself trapped in an elevator with the famed director who basically forced him to take the project.
Of course, this ended up being extremely beneficial for Val who even went on to film another movie with Tony, True Romance. Clearly, Val recognizes how his ego and 'snobby' perspective (his word) is something that he regrets. But it's all part of the learning process. Fortunately, the fact that he put these feelings aside meant that he got to take part in one of the most beloved films of the 1980s. And the franchise may just give Val the comeback that he and his fans are dying for.
