The Untold Story Behind Val Kilmer’s ‘Iceman’ Role: How He Was ‘Tortured’ Into Taking It

Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer’s friendship, forged on the set of the iconic 1986 film Top Gun, has remained a profound bond for decades. With the recent passing of Kilmer on April 1 at the age of 65, his legacy continues to resonate, especially for Cruise, who shared an emotional moment with his longtime friend during the making of Top Gun: Maverick.

In a 2023 interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cruise, now 62, reflected on the powerful experience of reuniting with Kilmer, who had faced a challenging battle with throat cancer after his diagnosis in 2014. The emotional reunion occurred when Kilmer reprised his beloved role as Lt. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the 2022 sequel.

Cruise recalled how special it was for Kilmer to return to the role, despite the physical toll that the cancer treatment had taken. “I just want to say that was pretty emotional,” Cruise shared during the interview. “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.”

For Cruise, seeing his friend on set in full Top Gun form was more than just a professional moment; it was a deeply personal one. “I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional,” Cruise admitted. “He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work.” The poignant moment not only reflected the depth of their friendship but also underscored the lasting impact Kilmer’s performance had on Cruise throughout their careers.

In the film, Cruise’s character, Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, seeks the guidance of Admiral Kazansky (Kilmer) for a high-risk mission, marking a pivotal moment that reunited the two characters in a new, yet emotionally charged context. Kilmer’s appearance, especially considering his health struggles, struck an even deeper chord with fans and the filmmakers, making the reunion all the more meaningful.

Kilmer had long been open about his initial reluctance to take on the role of Iceman. In his 2020 memoir I’m Your Huckleberry, he confessed, “I didn’t want the part. I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me.” Despite this, he was persuaded by his agent to meet with director Tony Scott, and ultimately, Iceman became one of the most memorable roles of his career, with Kilmer joking that he was forever known as “Iceman” by pilots at airports.

Kilmer’s reservations about the movie’s script were also documented in the 2021 film Val, where he admitted that he found the script “silly” and disliked the warmongering theme. However, Kilmer also acknowledged how the movie’s success catapulted him into stardom, a transition he never anticipated. “None of us knew at the time what a crazy commercial success the film would be,” he reflected. “All of a sudden I was being catapulted into the celebrity stratosphere.”

Despite his initial reluctance, Kilmer later expressed gratitude for the role, particularly in the context of Top Gun: Maverick. In 2022, he shared with PEOPLE how special it felt to return to the franchise, calling it “like being reunited with a long-lost friend.” He also added, “The characters never really go away. They live on in deep freeze. If you’ll pardon the pun.”

Kilmer’s passing marks the end of an era for both Top Gun fans and those who knew him personally, but his legacy as Iceman will forever remain. Cruise’s tribute to Kilmer is a testament to their enduring friendship and mutual respect as artists. Kilmer’s remarkable talent and the bond he shared with his fellow cast members will continue to influence generations of filmmakers and fans alike.