The Kilmer wave did not like to be Batman, and the role in ‘Top Gun’ almost refused: ‘It’s not interesting …’
The versatile and often mysterious actor, who marked generations of roles from charismatic Jim Morrison to the cold -blooded Iceman and dark Batman, passed away at Los Angeles on April 1 at the age of 65. The cause of death was pneumonia, his daughter Mercedes Kilmer confirmed. This news followed Kilmer’s long and brave struggle with throat cancer, a disease that changed his life but did not break his spirit. His career, filled with glittering successes, but also the challenges and a reputation of a « heavy » associate, leaves an indelible mark on the film world.
These days, fans of his acting talent can enjoy his biggest movie hits, as part of the Tuškanac cycle in a guest who pays tribute to this actor. The cycle at the Zagreb Cinema Forum began on May 5th with a spy comedy « Strictly Confidential », there are more films « Real Genius », « Top Gun », « Willow », « Tombstone », « Kiss Kiss Bang Bang », the third part of the Batman series, « Batman forever », and the cycle will conclude the criminal drama « heat ».
Val Edward Kilmer was born on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1959 in Los Angeles. The son of Eugene, distributor of air equipment and real estate developers, and Gladys, Kilmer grew up in an environment that did not necessarily refer to an star’s acting career. His parents divorced when he was a child, and the family idyll was further shaken by tragedy when his younger brother Wesley passed away from the effects of epileptic seizure. This event deeply influenced Kilmer and later shaped some of his intense film interpretations.
He showed interest in acting early, attending Chatsworth High School with future acting stars Kevin Spacey and Mare Winningham. At only 17, he became the youngest person received at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, where he brushed talent as a methodical actor. He started his professional career at the theater, sharing a scene with young hopes like Sean Penn and Kevin Bacon in the play « The weak Boys ». He made film debut in 1984 in the crazy parody « Top Secret! », Where he embodied the blond rock idol of Nick Rivers, followed by the role in the comedy « Real Genius » (1985).
His parents divorced when he was a child, and the family idyll was further shaken by a tragedy when his younger brother Wesley passed away from the effects of epileptic seizure |
Although he had already attracted attention, the role that launched him among the distinctive Hollywood faces was the Navy pilot Tom « Iceman » Kazansky in the « Top Gun » blockbuster (1986). Interestingly, Kilmer was initially not interested in the role in a film that would become a cultural phenomenon.
– I didn’t want that role. I was not interested in the movie. The story was not interesting to me – he later wrote in his memoirs. However, director Tony Scott managed to convince him with the promise that Iceman’s character would develop. « Top Gun » became the most watched movie in 1986, consolidating Kilmer’s status.
At first, Kilmer was not interested in the role in ‘Top Gun’, a movie that would become a cultural phenomenon |
The real star moment arrived in 1991 with the role of the legendary frontman of The Doors, Jim Morrison, in the biographical film of Oliver Stone « The Doors ». Kilmer’s transformation was stunning; Not only did he physically resemble Morrison, but he himself sang all the songs in the movie, demonstrating an impressive vocal talent. This role brought him worldwide fame and praise of criticism.
He continued to seal the striking roles of American legends: Doc Holliday revolver in the Western « Tombstone » (1993) and the spirit of Elvis Presley in the movie « TRUE ROMANCE » (1993). During this period, Kilmer also gained a reputation of an actor with whom it is difficult to work with. In 1995, he took over the mantle of knight of Darkness from Michael Keaton in the movie « Batman Forever ». Although the film was commercially successful, Kilmer’s experience was frustrating, mostly because of uncomfortable costumes.
He delighted in ‘The Doors’ in 1991. Kilmer’s transformation was astonishing; Not only did he physically resemble Jim Morrison, but he himself sang all the songs in the movie |
« It was a fight for me to draw a performance under the suit, » he admitted later, adding, « My role was just to show up and stop where I was told. » He did not repeat the role below, breaking the contract.
Kilmer’s reputation of the « heavy » associate followed him through his career. He allegedly came into conflicts with directors like Michael Apted on the recording of « Thunderheart » (1992) and Joel Schumacher during « Batman Forever ». John Frankenheimer, director of the movie « The Island of Dr. Moreau » (1996), was even more direct: « I don’t like Vala Kilmer … I never want to be connected to him again. » Kilmer defended himself, claiming, « When certain people criticize me that I am demanding, I think it is a cover for something they have not done well. »
Batman was followed by roles in the praised crime « heat » (1995) with Robert de Nira and Ala Pacina and « The Ghost and the Darkness » (1996). In the late 1990s and early 2000s, he had a few less successful films, but returned in the form with the role of a tortured addict in « The Salton Sea » (2002), for which he pledged the inspiration from the tragic brother’s death. He has also made the remarkable roles in films such as « Alexander » (2004), « Kiss Kiss Bang Bang » (2005) and « MacGruber » (2010).
He was accompanied by his voice that he was difficult to cooperate |
After the diagnosis of cancer and break, he returned to smaller roles in the films « Song To Song » (2017) and « The Snowman » (2017), where his voice had to synchronize due to the effects of illness. His last film role was the emotional return of the character of Iceman in the megahit « Top Gun: Maverick » (2022). Despite the health disabilities, his short but strong scene with Tom Cruise touched the audience around the world, and the film achieved a huge success. Cruise commented on their collaboration a few years ago and said:
« I’ve known the wave for decades and when he returned to embody the character again … He is so powerful actor that he immediately became that character again. »
It was a very emotional experience for both of them, as it was and very difficult for Cruise to say goodbye to an old friend. While promoting the new movie « Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning » in Las Vegas, Cruise asked for a minute of silence for a deceased colleague. « Just remember all the wonderful moments we spent with him. I wish you all the best on your next trip, » he said.
Rade Sherbedzija recently talked about cooperation with Kilmer, who starred with him in the 1997 « The Saint » movie. For the focus, Sherbedzija shared an anecdote.
– Throughout the recording, the wave did not want to talk to me. Nor would he welcome me. I thought, ‘Okay, let him work as he wants. I do mine and I don’t care ‘. And then – the last shot. We finished recording, and the wave suddenly ran across the whole set, hugs me, lifts me up in the air and excitedly says, ‘They do, I love you so much! Sorry! I am an American actor, and our work system is like that – if you are my opponent in the movie, I must not talk to you or love you while the shooting lasts, ‘said Sherbedzija a few months ago.
Val Kilmer was married to English actress Joanne Whaley from 1988 to 1996. They met on the filming of « Willow » (1988) and got two children together: daughter Mercedes (born 1991) and son Jack (born in 1995). Both children moved their parents’ acting footsteps. Mercedes starred with her father in the movie « Paydirt » and was a producer on the documentary « Wave », while Jack is also an actor and narrator in the documentary mentioned, lending his voice to her father whose speech was damaged. Kilmer often pointed out that his children were a priority.
– I cannot be a responsible parent and be with only three or four months a year with them, ”Kilmer said in 2012. His love life was under the public, and they connected him with numerous famous ladies, including Cher, with whom he remained a close friend and who was a great support during his illness. Although she was 14 years older than him, they were, as the singer herself said, « madly in love. »
The daughter of Mercedes and son Jack started with his acting footsteps |
« No one was like him, » said the music giant at one time. Kilmer also wrote about her in her memoirs and pointed out that she was able to make him laugh even in the most difficult moments. « Once Cher enters your head and heart, never leaves, » he wrote. Among his partners were Cindy Crawford, Daryl Hannah, as well as Angelina Jolie, whom he met on the filming of « Alexander the Great », just before her relationship with Brad Pitt. « I could hardly wait to kiss Angie, » he stated in the memoirs, claiming that it was the one « saved him from the ice furnace of solitude. »
