The incredibly specific role Val Kilmer desperately wanted to play: “My dream”
The legacy of Val Kilmer has become a timely topic of discussion after the actor’s recent passing, with many film lovers reflecting on his staggering influence throughout his many decades on the silver screen. Whether it be the suspenseful action of Heat, Top Gun or the suave modernism of Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Kilmer has captivated global audiences through his presence in revered cult classics within the action genre, expanding his talents through surprising collaborations with directors such as Gia Coppola, Ron Howard and Quentin Tarantino.
While the actor became known for a particular style of filmmaking, he continually proved his commitment to being creatively challenged and pushing the often-misunderstood public perception of himself. Kilmer managed to do so through more dramatic roles and his 2021 documentary Val, which shattered the facade of celebrity by showing a private insight into his life behind the scenes and his struggles with fame.
He has left an undeniable mark on cinema, but the actor had one character that he desperately wanted to tick off his bucket list. Kilmer wasn’t able to fulfil this wish and left behind an unfinished passion project that might have been the most surprising film in his collection of work.
Kilmer previously spoke about his undying love for Werner Herzog, the great German documentary filmmaker who is known for boundary-breaking and dangerous films such as Aguirre, The Wrath of God, Grizzly Man and Lessons of Darkness. The director is known for pushing himself to barely comprehensible extremes in order to realise his projects, chartering unknown land and sometimes risking his life to capture a particular moment in time or a real-life quest that otherwise would not be seen by anyone else but the person completing it.
However, the director has also extended his dangerous gaze to fiction projects, collaborating with actors such as Nicole Kidman, Michael Shannon and Willem Dafoe on dark stories that carry a similarly daring edge to his documentaries. This is something that he continues into his work today, with Herzog currently creating a film called Bucking Fastard, which follows the story of an inseparable pair of twins who become obsessed with their neighbour.
The director is still realising his dark visions and pushing the boundaries of his cinematic purview. However, there was one project that he was supposed to film with Kilmer, with the actor describing it as one of his most coveted roles.
When discussing the project and how his health impacted his career, Kilmer said, “I’m so great. Feeling stronger every day. My dream is to play Frankenstein with Werner Herzog directing. Right now, we are in a conflict because he wants to modernise it and I want to keep it classic!”. While the project wasn’t able to come to life on the big screen, Kilmer was still able to work with the director and realise his goal of collaborating with the fabled auteur, reprising a role in Bad Lieutenant: Port Of Call New Orleans alongside Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes.
