The iconic director that Val Kilmer loved but kept turning down: “Totally foolish”
Val Kilmer has been the focus of many conversations after his recent passing, with film lovers reflecting on his seismic influence in cinema. Whether it be his full-throttle performance in Top Gun, Heat or The Doors, the actor has lived many lives both on and off-screen, adding a new layer to his identity after the release of his documentary in 2021, which revealed the limiting way in which we view celebrities and his misunderstood sense of self.
Despite being known for high-stakes action thrillers and dramas, the actor possessed a level of sensitivity that was highly under-utilised, with the actor sharing his true love for performing and desire to break free from how the public viewed him, something that understandably becomes difficult when you are typecasted or loved for a specific genre. However, this is perhaps something that Kilmer could have achieved through working with one iconic director that he repeatedly turned down despite the fact that he loved his films.
Robert Altman is one of the ultimate Hollywood daredevils, known for his bizarre and highly stylised sense of naturalism that distorts the line between our dreams and waking life. From the bizarre surrealist realism of 3 Women, Nashville and Shortcuts, Altman has achieved something that few directors have through his astute yet unnervingly subtle socio-political commentary that is both mocking and completely empathetic towards those who have fallen victim to the American Dream.
Actors like Elliott Gould, Julianne Moore, and Shelley Duvall have forged enduring legacies through their collaborations with Altman. The Long Goodbye, in particular, went on to become one of the most revered from his filmography. Its uniquely light-hearted yet sinister tone makes it accessible to mainstream audiences while adding a new edge for those familiar with his work.
However, Kilmer was sadly not one of the lucky actors to enter his creative domain, despite how hard the director tried to get him on board with his vision. When discussing his repeated rejection of Altman, Kilmer said, “I lost my mind there. I don’t know any other logical explanation. But then, I was talking about Robert Altman today. Two times, or even three, I turned him down. Isn’t that silly? Altman’s so good. Right up to the end. I mean, Gosford Park is fantastic”.
The fact that Kilmer turned down multiple opportunities to work with Altman is borderline offensive, and it’s impressive that the director remained so persistent despite being consistently rejected. Who knows which projects the actor could’ve had the chance to star in, but given Altman’s tendency to create ensemble casts, perhaps he was offered a supporting role in one of his sprawling projects. However, Kilmer might also have been as great as Griffin Mill in The Player, which was famously played by Tim Robbins.
However, while Kilmer didn’t work with the infamous auteur, he worked with many others such as Martin Scorsese and Terrence Malick, while frequently collaborating with Ron Howard. We may regret many things with the benefit of hindsight, but regardless of this missed opportunity, Kilmer still made an indelible impression through his many performances.
