Method acting divided the actors into two different camps on Top Gun, Val Kilmer says
"On the page, there was very little to the character Iceman, so I tended to make him real," Kilmer explained. "I manifested a backstory for him, where he had a father who ignored him, and as a result, I was driven by a need to be perfect in every way. This obsession with perfection is what made him so arrogant."
Kilmer added that the tension between he and Cruise was merely an extension of what was going on in the film.
"I would purposefully play up the rivalry between Tom's character and mine off-screen as well," Kilmer said in the documentary. "And what ended up happening is the actors in true method fashion, split into two distinct camps. You had Maverick and Goose (Anthony Edwards) on one side, and Slider (Rick Rossovich), Hollywood (Whip Hubley), Wolfman [Barry Tubb], and me, Iceman, on the other."
As for any lasting effects of the rivalry, Kilmer revealed in "Val" that they are non-existent: "It was fun to play up the conflict between our characters, but in reality, I've always thought of Tom as a friend and we've always supported each other."
Val Kilmer says Tom Cruise reached the huge goal he set out to conquer on Top Gun
Kilmer also addressed the stories of the tension in his 2020 memoir, "I'm Your Huckleberry" — a title taken from the famous line spoken by his famed gunslinger character, Doc Holliday, in the acclaimed Western "Tombstone." As it turns out, there was no real fellowship off-set between the actors, let alone any other of the cast members, because it was evident to Kilmer that Cruise was pursuing something far greater than just accolades for his work on "Top Gun."
"Tom refrained from our revelry, with good reason. From day one, he was laser-focused on a singular goal: to become the greatest action hero in the history of film," Kilmer wrote. "He was up nights learning his lines; he spent every waking hour perfecting his stunts. His dedication was admirable. Of course, even more admirable is the fact that he achieved his goal."
Much like Kilmer expressed in "Val," the actor had kind sentiments speaking of his "Top Gun" co-star in "I'm Your Huckleberry" — albeit in a "Star Wars" sort of way.
"Tom is a comrade I respect and admire, though as creatures we hail from galaxies far, far away from one another," Kilmer wrote.
After years in development, the stars have once again aligned for Cruise and Kilmer, who are set to reprise their legendary roles as Maverick and Iceman in the hotly anticipated sequel "Top Gun: Maverick," set for a November 2021 release.
