Val Kilmer was almost a lead in one of the cult classics of David Lynch. The Top Gun actor could be a massive name early in his career if he accepted Lynch’s 1986 mystery-thriller Blue Velvet.
Val Kilmer has been cast in several commercially and critically successful films throughout his career. He has also garnered attention from pop culture enthusiasts for his role as the Dark Knight in Batman Forever. However, the Iceman fame has also lost some iconic roles that could have elevated his career.
It is not new for stars to miss out on some great films due to tough decisions. Val Kilmer admitted that he had to reject Blue Velvet as he was uncomfortable doing such an explicit film.
Why did Val Kilmer say no to David Lynch’s Blue Velvet?
David Lynch is known for his distinct style of surrealistic filmmaking. The filmmaker has iconic films like The Elephant Man, Wild at Heart, and Mulholland Drive under his collar. After the critical and commercial failure of 1984’s Dune, Lynch made a comeback with his mystery-thriller Blue Velvet.
Blue Velvet reunited Lynch with the Dune star Kyle MacLachlan. However, he was not the first choice for the role. Initially, the role was offered to Val Kilmer who rejected it as he was uncomfortable with the content. According to Screen Rant, the initial script received by Kilmer made it look like “a hardcore p*rno”.
Later, in an interview with Attitude Magazine (via Far Out) Val Kilmer expressed that he regretted turning down the role of Jeffrey Beaumont in the 1986 classic. He claimed that he was very naive during his youth and missed out on some good roles.
I was very naive when I was younger. I said ‘no’ to a ton of really wonderful directors, and looking back now, I can’t remember the reasons why. I said no to Robert Altman twice, and David Lynch, although David Lynch I remember, because the second film I turned down was Blue Velvet because it was really graphic and I was just too shy back then.
The Heat actor also added, “Blue Velvet is a wonderful film.” Despite generating a polarizing reception for its bold content, Blue Velvet aged like fine wine and is now hailed as one of David Lynch’s best.
Val Kilmer was reluctant to do Top Gun
Val Kilmer was also about to lose the project that had a major contribution to his career. The actor was reluctant to play Iceman as he did not like the initial script and was uninterested in starring in a war film.
In the Amazon Prime documentary Val, the Batman Forever star stated that he was reluctant to work in Tom Cruise’s action classic. If it was not for the contractual obligations, the Tony Scott directorial would have also been another major miss for Val Kilmer.
Believe it or not, I didn’t want to do Top Gun at first. I felt the script was silly, and disliked warmongering in film. But I was under contract with the studio, so I didn’t really have a choice.
The presently 64-year-old even tried to deliberately ruin his audition to miss out on the role. However, he was ultimately cast in the role and soon Tony Scott changed his perspective on the film. He found it an “enjoyable experience” and even wanted to return in the sequel Top Gun: Maverick.
Blue Velvet can be streamed on MGM+ and Top Gun can be streamed on Paramount+.
