Val Kilmer Reveals That He Originally Didn't Want To Participate In Top Gun - The Story Wasn't Interesting

Source: GospelHerald.com

Val Kilmer almost didn’t star in Top Gun, the movie that wound up being one of his favorite roles of all time. During a chat with The Daily Beast in promotion of his new memoir, I’m Your Huckleberry, Val explained that he initially didn’t like the idea of starring in the 1986 action movie alongside Tom Cruise.

Val said to reporters that he “didn’t want the part” because he didn’t care much about the story. It simply didn’t interest him much. According to Kilmer, his agent – who also worked with Tom Cruise – “tortured” him about it for a while, urging him to meet with the director, Tony Scott, who was one of the most popular directors of the time.

Val said he went to the audition for LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, but he didn’t care about it at all. He went intentionally “looking the fool, or the goon,” complete with massive Australian shorts in a nauseating green color.

Val said he read the lines like he didn’t care at all, but later found out that he got the part. The actor added that he felt “deflated” rather than “inflated,” and felt like he had to leave the room immediately. After he left, the director chased after him and blocked the elevator door to admit the script wasn’t great, but just wait until he saw the jets.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_LdxKvjER1/

Furthermore, Kilmer explained what it was like to work with Tom Cruise, who starred as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Val said it was clear that Tom had one single goal: to become the “greatest action hero in the history of film.”

Kilmer claimed Tom’s work-ethic was inexorable and his commitment was stellar. He spent hours and hours of his time, memorizing his lines, perfecting his stunts; his passion and dedication were incredible.

However, Val admitted that while he respects Tom, he and the iconic actor are from “galaxies, far, far away from one another.”

As it was previously reported, Cruise and Kilmer are currently co-starring in the Top Gun sequel, Maverick, in which they’ll both reprise their original roles. It’s slated for release on the 23rd of December, 2020.