Tom Cruise furious over 'Top Gun 3' pitch to bring back Val Kilmer with AI
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Tom Cruise reportedly lost his temper during a pre-production meeting for 'Top Gun 3' after a controversial idea was pitched about bringing back Val Kilmer’s character through artificial intelligence.
The 62-year-old allegedly erupted in anger when someone suggested resurrecting Kilmer’s Iceman with AI, just months after his death.
Tom Cruise 'exploded' when someone suggested AI Val Kilmer
Val Kilmer reprised his iconic role as Lieutenant Tom "Iceman" Kazansky in 'Top Gun: Maverick', thanks to AI voice reconstruction after a 2014 tracheotomy left him unable to speak due to throat cancer.
Cruise was said to be instrumental in bringing Kilmer back to the franchise for the 2022 sequel.
But during a recent meeting for the third installment, Cruise reportedly had a furious outburst when the idea of using AI to recreate Kilmer again was mentioned.
"Someone suggested bringing Val Kilmer back via AI. Tom jumped to his feet and let rip, leaving the entire room silent for literally minutes. You could almost hear a pin drop and see steam coming out of his ears," a source told the Daily Mail.
"Tom's stand on AI is that he despises it. Val only managed to make a brief appearance in 'Top Gun: Maverick' due to his long battle with cancer. Tom knew it would be Val's screen farewell and wanted to give him the honorable send-off he deserved," another source added.
Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer shared an emotional reunion in 'Top Gun: Maverick'
Val Kilmer’s appearance in 'Top Gun: Maverick' was supported by London-based AI firm Sonantic, which helped recreate his voice.
The actor called the effort moving and deeply personal at the time.
Kilmer, who died of pneumonia in April at the age of 65, shared an emotional scene with Cruise’s Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the sequel.
In the film, Iceman, now an Admiral, encouraged Maverick to move on from the past.
"The Navy needs Maverick. The kid needs Maverick. That's why I fought for you. That's why you're still here," Kilmer’s character said in the film, followed by a heartfelt hug between the two.
Director Joseph Kosinski recalled the moment on set as equally emotional for the actors.
"After one of the takes – we only did a few – I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends," Kosinski said.
Tom Cruise 'wasn't happy' with idea of AI Val Kilmer in 'Top Gun 3'
Tom Cruise reportedly felt that using AI to recreate Val Kilmer for 'Top Gun 3' would dishonor his memory and legacy.
"The moment he shared with Val in Maverick was such a beautiful experience, that when an AI Val was brought up, he wasn't happy and quickly killed it because that would just bastardize everything," a source explained.
Kilmer’s character had already been given an emotional farewell in 'Top Gun: Maverick', with Maverick saluting Iceman at his military funeral after his onscreen death from cancer.
"He did not want to be part of it. If Val isn't here to appreciate or sign off on it, Tom is having none of it. He didn't want to do that to Val. Will the movie reference Val? Yes, but Maverick is the last time we'll see him," the source added.
