When Paramount announced plans to make a sequel to “Top Gun,” fans had some immediate questions. First, and perhaps foremost, is there going to be another volleyball scene? The answer might have to wait until we see the film on the big screen. And then secondly, in addition to Tom Cruise, would we see the return of Val Kilmer’s Iceman? Well, that answer is a resounding yes, thanks in no small part to Cruise himself.
Speaking to People, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who worked on both “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” explained how Tom Cruise was a pivotal figure in making sure Val Kilmer returned for the upcoming sequel. Apparently, without Kilmer, Cruise wasn’t sure if ‘Maverick’ should be made.
“He said, ‘We have to have Val, we have to have him back. We have to have him in the film,'” Bruckheimer revealed. “And he was the driving force. We all wanted him, but Tom was really adamant that if he’s going to make another ‘Top Gun,’ Val had to be in it.”
Bruckheimer also talked about how emotions were high when Cruise and Kilmer reunited for the actual filming of ‘Maverick.’
The producer added, “It was a really emotional experience for all of us. It was a long time getting there, but we did.”
Obviously, for fans of “Top Gun,” Kilmer’s Iceman is just as iconic as Cruise’s Maverick. However, in recent years, Kilmer has been battling throat cancer, which has resulted in intense chemotherapy and multiple tracheotomies. (If you want a more detailed look at his life, check out the recent “Val” documentary on Amazon Prime Video.) So, while it seemed obvious to have Kilmer return for the film, real-life issues made it a bit more difficult. Alas, it appears Cruise wanted it to happen, and since Cruise is the one person on the planet that can demand things about a “Top Gun” sequel, Kilmer was included in the cast.
LISTEN: Val Kilmer: The Essentials [Be Reel Podcast]
For now (barring even more delays), “Top Gun: Maverick” is expected to hit theaters on November 19.