Why Val Kilmer didnt want to star in Top Gun before emotional reunion with Tom Cruise in Maverick sequel

Val Kilmer never wanted to be in “Top Gun,” but had little say in the matter before he starred in the blockbuster that launched him to Hollywood stardom opposite Tom Cruise.The legendary actor, who died from pneumonia on Tuesday at the age of 65, reflected on the huge acting decision he faced in his mid-20s when presented with the movie script.“Believe it or not, I didn’t want to do ‘Top Gun’ at first,” Kilmer said in his 2021 documentary “Val.”The Julliard-trained actor had problems with both the story and the theme of the movie but was legally bound to the production.“I thought the script was silly, and I disliked warmongering in films.But I was under contract with the studio, so I didn’t really have a choice,” he added.Kilmer’s son, Jack, voiced his father during the documentary, as older Kilmer was left with speaking difficulties after several surgeries during his six-year-long throat cancer battle.The actor reflected on his character, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky and how he portrayed the naval pilot and main antagonist during the first film.Kilmer revealed the on-screen beef between Kazansky and Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell continued off-screen when he remained in character for interviews.“I would purposely play up the rivalry between Tom’s character and mine off screen as well,” Kilmer said.

“And what ended up happening is the actors, in true Method fashion, split into two distinct camps.You had Maverick and Goose on one side, Slider, Hollywood, Wolfman and me, Iceman, on the other.”During the press tour for “Top Gun” Kilmer revealed his family connections to the military aviation career.“My father was in the Air Force, so I heard a lot of flying stories, most of his were terrifying though,” Kilmer told Entertainment Tonight in 1985.“But I was excited to get to an aspect of the Navy that civilians can’t see,” he added.Kilmer returned to play “Iceman” one final time in “Top Gun: Maverick.”In th...