Val Kilmer is no more! Kilmer died at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. Known for his extraordinary performance in different genres, Kilmer has acted in numerous classic Hollywood films, including the iconic 1986 Top Gun, which was his career's first major blockbuster hit.
The actor catapulted to fame after he portrayed Tom &ldquo;Iceman&rdquo; Kazansky in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise, who essayed the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. But did you know that Kilmer was not interested in the movie, and was on the verge of turning down the role?&nbsp;
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/entertainment/val-kilmers-dead-7-surprising-facts-that-may-surprise-you-8916591">Remembering Val Kilmer: 7 Facts That May Surprise You</a>
<h2>Val Kilmer didn't want to star in Top Gun</h2>
Val Kilmer gave a standout performance as Tom &ldquo;Iceman&rdquo; Kazansky, the rival of Cruise's character in the flight school. While, the role and movie changed Kilmer's career trajectory forever. But it was the film that he didn't want to star in at all.&nbsp;
In his memoir I&rsquo;m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer wrote, &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t want the part. I didn&rsquo;t care about the film. The story didn&rsquo;t interest me.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Speaking about his agent, he revealed further, &ldquo;My agent, who also represented Tom Cruise, basically tortured me into at least meeting Tony Scott, saying he was one of the hottest directors in town.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/i-was-crying-when-tom-cruise-shared-his-emotional-reunion-with-val-kilmer-on-top-gun-maverick-set-8916456">'I was crying': When Tom Cruise shared his emotional reunion with Val Kilmer on Top Gun Maverick set</a>
Talking about the day of his audition, Kilmar said that he &ldquo;showed up looking the fool, or the goon&rdquo; at his audition for the role of LT Tom &ldquo;Iceman&rdquo; Kazansky.&nbsp;
However, Kilmer revealed that director Joseph Kisinski ran to him as he urged him to wait until the final script.&nbsp;&nbsp;
&ldquo;I read the lines indifferently. And yet, amazingly, I was told I had the part. I felt more deflated than inflated. I had to get out of there,&rdquo; Kilmer said.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/val-kilmer-best-films-to-watch-best-of-val-kilmer-top-gun-the-doors-tombstone-val-kilmer-films-8916426">Remembering Val Kilmer (1959-2025): 7 essential films of the actor that you need to watch</a>
&ldquo;The moment I got into the elevator, the director ran after me and slid his arm in to block the door,&rdquo; the late actor added. &ldquo;He blurted his truth in his chipper British accent: &lsquo;I know that the script is insufficient, but it will get better, Val. Wait until you see these jets. They take your breath away.&rsquo; &rdquo;
&nbsp;According to the actor, he "felt the script was silly and disliked warmongering films."&nbsp;
In 2022, Kilmer and Tom reprised their roles in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Unfortunately, the film became Kilmer's final movie.&nbsp;

Hollywood | Entertainment Val Kilmer gave a standout performance as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, the rival of Cruise's character in the flight school. While, the role and movie changed Kilmer's career trajectory forever. But it was the film that he didn't want to star in at all.

Val Kilmer is no more! Kilmer died at the age of 65 due to pneumonia. Known for his extraordinary performance in different genres, Kilmer has acted in numerous classic Hollywood films, including the iconic 1986 Top Gun, which was his career's first major blockbuster hit. The actor catapulted to fame after he portrayed Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in Top Gun opposite Tom Cruise, who essayed the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. But did you know that Kilmer was not interested in the movie, and was on the verge of turning down the role? Also read: Remembering Val Kilmer: 7 Facts That May Surprise You Val Kilmer didn't want to star in Top Gun Val Kilmer gave a standout performance as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, the rival of Cruise's character in the flight school. While, the role and movie changed Kilmer's career trajectory forever. But it was the film that he didn't want to star in at all. In his memoir I’m Your Huckleberry, Kilmer wrote, “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me.” Speaking about his agent, he revealed further, “My agent, who also represented Tom Cruise, basically tortured me into at least meeting Tony Scott, saying he was one of the hottest directors in town.” Also read: 'I was crying': When Tom Cruise shared his emotional reunion with Val Kilmer on Top Gun Maverick set Talking about the day of his audition, Kilmar said that he “showed up looking the fool, or the goon” at his audition for the role of LT Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. However, Kilmer revealed that director Joseph Kisinski ran to him as he urged him to wait until the final script. “I read the lines indifferently. And yet, amazingly, I was told I had the part. I felt more deflated than inflated. I had to get out of there,” Kilmer said. Also read: Remembering Val Kilmer (1959-2025): 7 essential films of the actor that you need to watch “The moment I got into the elevator, the director ran after me and slid his arm in to block the door,” the late actor added. “He blurted his truth in his chipper British accent: ‘I know that the script is insufficient, but it will get better, Val. Wait until you see these jets. They take your breath away.’ ” According to the actor, he "felt the script was silly and disliked warmongering films." In 2022, Kilmer and Tom reprised their roles in the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick. Unfortunately, the film became Kilmer's final movie.

Did you know Val Kilmer didn't want to do Tom Cruise's Top Gun initially? Thought script was 'silly and....'

Ever since Tom Cruise-starrer Top Gun: Maverick released last year and it became clear that both the audiences and critics absolutely adore it, many have wondered when (and not if) the next movie in the series will be announced. Jerry Bruckheimer, one of the producers, has opened up about the possibility. Well, that isn't true as he played coy with the question when asked by Variety. He joked, "We're just enjoying this one. I have no idea. It took 35 years to make Top Gun: Maverick. I'm not going to be around another 35 years." The first Top Gun was released in 1986 and in 1990 Cruise had flatly denied that a second movie would be made, saying it would be "irresponsible". Compared to that, Bruckheimer's statement is almost positive.

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Maverick director Joseph Kosinski has earlier said that a third movie may be coming. While speaking to Deadline, he said, "Is there another story that is compelling enough that we need to go back? It seems to me at the end of this film that Maverick has some gas left in the tank. He’s not settling down."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-top-gun-maverick-review-joe-kosinskis-film-presents-tom-cruise-in-his-full-glory-482049">Top Gun Maverick&nbsp;review: Tom Cruise and the story are still as impactful as before</a>

Directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie from a story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks, Maverick&nbsp;brought back Cruise in the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. In the sequel, he is now a test pilot and flight instructor. The film was a huge success, almost earning $1.5 billion worldwide. If we do not include Avatar: The Way of Water, which did surpass Maverick at the box office but only in 2023, Maverick was the biggest film of 2022 in terms of worldwide collection.

With the Mission: Impossible franchise and now Maverick, Tom Cruise has largely dominated the action genre. Currently, he is busy with the promotions and post-production of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh movie in the franchise. It comes out on July 14. The spy thriller franchise began with 1996's Mission: Impossible, which was a continuation of the 1960s TV series of the same name. As the name suggests it is the first in a story arc. The arc will end with the eighth and final Mission: Impossible installment titled Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.&nbsp;

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Ever since Tom Cruise-starrer Top Gun: Maverick released last year and it became clear that both the audiences and critics absolutely adore it, many have wondered when (and not if) the next movie in the series will be announced.

Ever since Tom Cruise-starrer Top Gun: Maverick released last year and it became clear that both the audiences and critics absolutely adore it, many have wondered when (and not if) the next movie in the series will be announced. Jerry Bruckheimer, one of the producers, has opened up about the possibility. Well, that isn't true as he played coy with the question when asked by Variety. He joked, "We're just enjoying this one. I have no idea. It took 35 years to make Top Gun: Maverick. I'm not going to be around another 35 years." The first Top Gun was released in 1986 and in 1990 Cruise had flatly denied that a second movie would be made, saying it would be "irresponsible". Compared to that, Bruckheimer's statement is almost positive. Maverick director Joseph Kosinski has earlier said that a third movie may be coming. While speaking to Deadline, he said, "Is there another story that is compelling enough that we need to go back? It seems to me at the end of this film that Maverick has some gas left in the tank. He’s not settling down." Also Read: Top Gun Maverick review: Tom Cruise and the story are still as impactful as before Directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie from a story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks, Maverick brought back Cruise in the role of Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. In the sequel, he is now a test pilot and flight instructor. The film was a huge success, almost earning $1.5 billion worldwide. If we do not include Avatar: The Way of Water, which did surpass Maverick at the box office but only in 2023, Maverick was the biggest film of 2022 in terms of worldwide collection. With the Mission: Impossible franchise and now Maverick, Tom Cruise has largely dominated the action genre. Currently, he is busy with the promotions and post-production of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, the seventh movie in the franchise. It comes out on July 14. The spy thriller franchise began with 1996's Mission: Impossible, which was a continuation of the 1960s TV series of the same name. As the name suggests it is the first in a story arc. The arc will end with the eighth and final Mission: Impossible installment titled Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Top Gun 3 in the works? Producer's statement has Tom Cruise fans buzzing with excitement

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Did you know Val Kilmer didn't want to do Tom Cruise's Top Gun initially? Thought script was 'silly and....'

Top Gun 3 in the works? Producer's statement has Tom Cruise fans buzzing with excitement