There are few people that don’t love Val Kilmer, and the actor’s recent appearance in Top Gun: Maverick proved that. Despite the actor having a limited role in the legacy sequel, fans found the emotional reunion between Iceman and Maverick one of the movie’s highlights and have been delighted to see Kilmer talking about other potential movie appearances. However, for now, the actor is just happy to be inspiring people.

In a recent interview with Collider, Kilmer was asked what it is that he hopes people take from his work, and he explained that he really just wants to inspire. He said:

Kilmer also discussed his visual art, how he finds painting an amazing way of getting instant satisfaction and how his art has always been about collaborating and getting gratification and fulfillment from it. He commented:

“I hope to inspire increased focus and concentration. To entertain for two hours carries a great deal of satisfaction, and is itself inspiring. To be able to give this gift is such a joy. It costs something too. Acting SHOULD cost something!”

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“I love how immediately the satisfaction comes by painting in all its forms! That’s why Kamp Kilmer, our new Web3 Platform (a modern-day creative space/studio) is so gratifying! It’s a place for everyone to come and express their creativity and feel the love! I’ve always felt that way — probably why I was drawn to making movies — but working with so many talented artists and pushing the boundaries of creativity is very fulfilling AND healing.”

Val Kilmer Has Found Recent Fan Reactions to Top Gun: Maverick ‘Humbling’

     Paramount Pictures

Top Gun: Maverick has been a phenomenal success at the box office, climbing to become the 12th highest-grossing movie of all time. Part of the success has been the huge nostalgic attraction linked to the movie, and that included the return of both Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer from the 1986 original. When asked about how he felt about the love that has been shown to both the movie and himself, Kilmer commented, “I can’t believe how kind the whole world has been. I get hundreds of fan letters every week. It’s very humbling.”

Val Kilmer’s real-life cancer battle became incorporated into this Top Gun return with his on-screen character suffering from the same condition as the actor and that struck an even greater chord with audiences. In the movie, Iceman communicates with Maverick through typing but subsequently manages to communicate vocally with his former adversary, a moment that was achieved through the use of AI software that used hours of audio files of Kilmer’s voice.

Speaking about Kilmer’s scenes, director Joseph Kosinski commented on the way he and Tom Cruise gelled on set, which is something that has come from their many years of friendship. He previously said, “[Kilmer] is completely present in the scene and able to convey so much emotion without saying a word. I remember noticing that with his introduction in ‘Heat’ — so much said with just one look. When working with an actor of that caliber, you try to create a space for them to do their best work, then get out of the way and let them create.”