As Top Gun: Maverick nears the end of its theatrical run, with the title now being available on digital platforms, director Joseph Kosinski has once again been discussing the epic achievements of the movie, which is now the 6th highest grossing domestic movie of all time having overtaken Avengers: Infinity War. During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Kosinski also touched on a subject that has been a big part of the film’ nostalgia-fuelled success: the return of Val Kilmer.
When it was revealed that Val Kilmer would be reprising his role as Iceman, fans were thrilled to see the much-loved star back on screen to reunite with Tom Cruise in an emotional moment that really sealed the deal on the film and helped deliver something that surpassed even the original Tony Scott directed movie. Kosinski was asked if he could recall showing the completed reunion scene between Iceman and Maverick to Kilmer, which he certainly could. The directed said:
“Well, Tom was involved throughout the editorial process in kind of shaping that scene and building that scene. So there was never really a moment of showing him the final. He was kind of there as it evolved, and he was obviously a key part of it. But I do remember showing it to Val for the first time. That’s a very distinct memory because he came in to watch parts of the film. So that was one scene I wanted him to see, and obviously, we were all a little nervous showing it to him just because we really wanted him to like it. But his response was beautiful. He was so happy and so moved by it that it made us all feel really good and that maybe we had gotten it right.”
Val Kilmer’s Top Gun Return Was Built On His Real-Life Friendship With Tom Cruise
Although Iceman and Maverick were rivals in the 1986 hit Top Gun, in real-life the actors behind the characters have had a long-standing friendship that really helped to enhance their scene in Top Gun: Maverick. Kosinski even commented at the time that witnessing the pair in action was like watching “a genuine moment between two old friends.”
Kilmer himself wrote of the long-awaited reunion, “We talked quite a bit about what was best for the story and I think they got it right at the end. We are in touch and exchange Xmas gifts every year! Tom and I get along really well. We giggled like little kids in school between takes. I consider him a real friend. We shared intimate stories and challenges about our different lifestyles!!”
It is clear that there is still lot of love out there for the Top Gun franchise, and for the actors who made the sequel come alive in such a way that it struck a chord that has refused to be quietened. There is obviously now plenty of speculation about where the Top Gun story could go next, but in the meantime, there is still plenty of joy to be gleaned from Top Gun: Maverick as it heads home on digital release.