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When Hollywood Turns Its Back on You - Val Kilmer

posted a year ago by TMC-4 (20304)
8 replies | jump to latest

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUEKjihVbR0

In 1995 Val Kilmer was taking over Hollywood. With memorable performances in Top Gun, The Doors and Tombstone already under his belt, he really cemented himself as the young actor by teaming up with Robert De Niro and Al Pacino in Heat, and that same year in Batman Forever. But only a decade later and he's starring mostly in direct-to-DVD films.

2021's Val went over his love for acting, and the recent battle with losing his voice to cancer. However, the doc skimmed over a controversial part of his career - the time he was constantly labeled as a prima donna. So we wanted to take a deeper look at this part of his career. Like the reason for him never returning as Batman, or one of the most infamous movie productions ever and the final nail in the coffin that had Hollywood turn its back on him…

Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
00:49 - Quick Rise to Fame
03:45 - Batman Forever
05:91 - The Worst of Kilmer (Dr. Moreau)
08:48 - More Drama
10:29 - Downhill (Did He Deserve It?)

[–] strntz (12736) 6 months ago

It's hard to be an actor with no voice.

But, perhaps this is a good place for AI and was frankly surprised they didn't implement it in Maverick for the few lines he had. There is enough footage of Kilmer speaking that AI would allow for Kilmer doing a movie and just mouthing his lines and "his" voice added in post.

For example, one of my favorite AI manipulations:

https://youtu.be/K_XwseDwmuQ?t=14

I guess the question is whether it would be too distracting for viewers to know he's not speaking and his voice is AI generated.

[–] Tam87 (1382) 6 months ago

If you're as gifted as Kilmer was, you earn the right to be difficult.

I hate it when people complain about good actors being difficult on set. As long as it's a good performance and good film, it doesn't matter. It's the crap actors being difficult and making mediocre films that's the problem.

[–] Sparky (2660) 6 months ago

A gift isn't earned though.

[–] Tam87 (1382) 6 months ago

That's true, but I'd guess he worked his ass off to get to where he is. He played an endearing blind man in 'At First Sight' and then John Holmes in 'Wonderland', and was equally convincing in both polar opposite roles. That takes dedication as well as skill.

[–] Sparky (2660) 6 months ago

Granted, but it's just as likely that the others involved in the project worked even harder, starting from a worse place. I agree with you regarding his skills, he's proven his talents over and over again, and they're formidable.

[–] Tam87 (1382) 6 months ago

it's just as likely that the others involved in the project worked even harder, starting from a worse place.

True, it's easier not to be difficult, but genius comes at a price sometimes.

Reminds me of Michael Biehn being asked about Johnny Ringo's memorable duel scene with Val's Doc Holliday in Tombstone. Someone asked Biehn "What was it like to work with Val Kilmer?". And Biehn replied "I have no fucking idea. I never met the man". Implying that Val was a method guy on and off set and just blanked him because that's what his character would do haha.

Bizarre behavior, but it made for the best scene in the film, and he was the best character in the film.

[–] Sparky (2660) 6 months ago

Oh yes absolutely. I bet you also have your own issues due to your intelligence, I definitely do.

[–] Tam87 (1382) 6 months ago

I'm definitely not intelligent, but thanks for the compliment.