Mission Impossible Star Tom Cruise Nostalgically Recalls Val Kilmer's Recovery for Top Gun Sequel
Actor Tom Cruise reconnects with Val Kilmer in the sequel for Top Gun movie.
Published May 11th, 2025 - 01:12 GMT FacebookTwitterWhatsAppShare
Tom Cruise shares heartfelt feelings during a recent interview as he recounts Val Kilmer's inspiring comeback to Hollywood in the action-packed sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.
Tom Cruise on Val Kilmer's Powerful Performance
In the highly anticipated film, Kilmer reprised his role as Admiral Tom “Iceman” Kazansky beside Cruise, who played the rejuvenated Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. With Kilmer battling health issues due to throat cancer, Cruise considers it "beautiful" that the seasoned actor managed to return for the coveted role.
The 62-year-old actor shared with Sight and Sound magazine, "To come back all those years later, and it was amazing being on set [for Top Gun: Maverick] because it was like time had not passed... we were laughing, and it was joyous." Cruise went on to express, "[It was] very special, to say the least, for me personally," as he recalled the "dynamic between these friends" that brought back memories of their early collaboration.
The Key to a Successful Reunion
Fans and audiences alike were moved by the emotional reunion between the two stars, sensing the bond they shared extend beyond the screen. Kilmer's seemingly effortless slip into the role of Iceman earned him high praise from Cruise, who noted the subtle yet profound influence he exuded, "He didn't even have to speak."
Reminiscing about their history together, Cruise expressed gratitude for Kilmer's decision to join the original Top Gun film, contrasting the powerhouse actor's initial reluctance to accept a supporting role. Cruise remembered the efforts made to persuade Kilmer to co-star in the blockbuster hit, stating, "[We] did a lot to get him in the movie. Originally, he just didn't want to make the movie, 'I don't want to be a supporting, I want to star in films.'"
A Lasting Impact on the Film Industry
The resonating impact Kilmer left on the Top Gun franchise cannot be understated. Although he appeared only briefly in the sequel, his presence was strongly felt and undeniably powerful. As Cruise reflectively noted, "When the scene just goes to a different place, it's exhilarating. I love when the scene just goes to a different place."
With the untimely passing of Val Kilmer in 2023, the industry, fans, and Cruise himself have continued to honor his lasting legacy and the indelible mark he left on both the world of entertainment and their personal relationship.
Tags: top gun, val kilmer, tom cruise, ex-actors, admiral iceman
[Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4]
[Enrichment Data: The return of Val Kilmer to the screen as "Iceman" in Top Gun: Maverick was particularly significant, owing to his health struggles with throat cancer since 2014, which left him with a permanently damaged voice. Despite these challenges, Kilmer utilized specialized technology and brief appearances to reprise his iconic role as Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in the 2022 sequel. Kilmer's performance in the film, minimally dialogued yet impactful, was achieved using old voice recordings and digital voice synthesis, allowing him to participate in the production despite his limited speech abilities after undergoing treatment for cancer.]
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- The triumphant return of Val Kilmer, battling health issues, to Hollywood delighted many in the film industry, especially Tom Cruise, who considered it "beautiful" to witness such a resilient comeback in the movie, Top Gun: Maverick.
- The movie news about the reunion of Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick stirred a great interest in the business world, as the success of the sequel was seen as a key factor in the ongoing revitalization of the action-packed genre in the entertainment industry.
- During a recent history-focused interview, Tom Cruise recalled the difficulties faced in persuading Val Kilmer to join the original Top Gun film, despite Kilmer's initial reluctance to accept a supporting role, proving that sometimes negotiations play a crucial role in shaping the course of movies-and-tv productions.
- Tom Cruise shared heartwarming thoughts about the powerhouse performance of Val Kilmer, who returned to the silver screen after a health battle, in the movie Top Gun: Maverick, demonstrating that regardless of personal circumstances, great history and entertainment can be created in the world of politics and news.
