One of Val Kilmer's most widely known roles is Batman, but a first-hand account of his on-set experience playing the superhero is being revealed to fans for the first time.
In his autobiographical documentary “Val,” the 61-year-old actor, who in recent years has been battling throat cancer, offers new insight into his struggles while filming 1995’s “Batman Forever,” The Hollywood Reporter says.
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“Whatever boyhood excitement I had was crushed by the reality of the Batsuit,” Kilmer says in the doc. “Yes, every boy wants to be Batman. They actually want to be him…not necessarily play him in a movie.”
The actor recalls the Batsuit being so restrictive that he felt isolated and winded on set.
“I couldn’t hear anything and after a while people stopped talking to me,” he recalls.
To feel more control of his acting, Kilmer chose to put his hands on his hips while speaking with Nicole Kidman, who played Dr. Chase Meridian.
“I think it made no difference what I was doing. I tried to be like an actor on a soap opera. When I would turn to Nicole…I couldn’t count how many times I put my hands on my hips.”
Kilmer famously refused to play the superhero for a second time, and went on to star in “The Saint,” a title character the actor says “was like 10 roles in one.”
Kilmer was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015 and underwent a tracheotomy that altered his ability to speak.
Related
He is set to reprise his role as Iceman in the upcoming sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, and Jennifer Connelly. The film was delayed due to COVID-19 and is currently set to open in November.
The Amazon Studios documentary "Val" is directed by Leo Scott and Ting Poo and currently available to stream on the platform. Watch it on Amazon.
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