Val Kilmer...what happened to him?

Richard Dower

:eek: how the mighty have fallen, just watched a dire movie called Hardwired with Cuba Gooding Jnr.

It's shocking to see such a fine actor sink so deep, making 5th rate tosh for pennies. Kilmer was a huge star back in the day, the thing is...i *know* he's a good actor, i know he's capable of Oscar stuff.

But to see him now in his choice of dross baffles the mind, Gooding also makes some dire rubbish as well.

I guess they need to pay the bills

Magic Eight Ball

I take it you haven't seen Felon or The Salton Sea then!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1117385/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235737/

..or 'kiss kiss, bang bang' for that matter.

Rhyme

Trevor Coulahan wrote: »

..or 'kiss kiss, bang bang' for that matter.

Gay Perri remains one of my favourite film characters.

Basq

Kilmer is still great.. a few poor film choices is hardly a downfall.

Remember DeNiro did Rocky & Bullwinkle..!

Rhyme

basquille wrote: »

Remember DeNiro did Rocky & Bullwinkle..!

Say that three times in front of the bathroom mirror.

Every actor knocks out a few turds every now and then, have to maintain an average and pay the bills.

Handsome Bob

Maybe his reputation has caught up with him and in order to make a buck he has to take what's thrown at him.

Profiler

Was it Kilmer who had a very stange clause inserted in his contracts?

I'm sure I read somewere that stage hands, extras and those who were not on a par with his billing were under no circumstances to make eye contact with Kilmer at any time?

Rhyme

Profiler wrote: »

Was it Kilmer who had a very stange clause inserted in his contracts?

I'm sure I read somewere that stage hands, extras and those who were not on a par with his billing were under no circumstances to make eye contact with Kilmer at any time?

Doesn't sound like Kilmer, I've heard people say that he's a nice guy and approachable. Compare that to the walking arsehole that is Bruce Willis.

It does sound like something someone would stick in a contract but more a musical diva than someone like Val Kilmer.

Of course, I could be totally wrong.

Handsome Bob

Rhyme wrote: »

Doesn't sound like Kilmer, I've heard people say that he's a nice guy and approachable. Compare that to the walking arsehole that is Bruce Willis.

It does sound like something someone would stick in a contract but more a musical diva than someone like Val Kilmer.

Of course, I could be totally wrong.

Really? :eek:

ziedth

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Really? :eek:

Ya I saw a intervier with Colm Meany once and by jesus he tore into him from when he shortly worked with him on die hard.

Rhyme

LZ5by5 wrote: »

Really? :eek:

Yeah, talked to two people who've worked as assistants on films he's starred in, one person who bumped into him in Los Angeles and the fact that M. Night Shyamalan strongly resents working with him (again, only second-hand reports) despite a potential team-up for Unbreakable 2.

All bad stories even though the guy used to be a gem in television interviews.

Handsome Bob

ziedth wrote: »

Ya I saw a intervier with Colm Meany once and by jesus he tore into him from when he shortly worked with him on die hard.

Rhyme wrote: »

Yeah, talked to two people who've worked as assistants on films he's starred in, one person who bumped into him in Los Angeles and the fact that M. Night Shyamalan strongly resents working with him (again, only second-hand reports) despite a potential team-up for Unbreakable 2.

All bad stories even though the guy used to be a gem in television interviews.

That's crazy lads, just goes to show even further how you can't take the media at face value because I've never read a negative story about the guy and actually comes across as a quite sound bloke. Can't believe that, maybe Kilmer is bang on after all.

I love Kilmer and rate him as one of my all time favorite actors but from all the stories about him on set he is not exactly pleasant to work with.

Val Kilmer vs. Everyone he's ever worked with
The list of industry movers and shakers who have a beef with Val Kilmer is longer than the actor's 25 years worth of film credits. Refusing to rehearse, getting directors fired, not showing up to production sets for days on end: Kilmer's inflated ego and storied temper have become movie lore. "I have a reputation for being difficult," the actor has conceded. "But only with stupid people." Would he include film legend Marlon Brando in that category? Kilmer's unprofessional behavior on the set of The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996) prompted co-star Brando to famously tell him, "You are confusing your talent with the size of your paycheck." Need more proof the guy's a self-important jerk-face? Ask fellow actors (Kilmer refused to address Red Planet costar Tom Sizemore by name), film executives (an exec on the set of 1993's The Real McCoy claims Kilmer became enraged when a scene wasn't altered and fired his prop gun at a car) or crew members (Kilmer once used his lit cigarette to "accidentally" burn the face of a cameraman who pissed him off). Still not convinced? According to director Joel Schumacher, on the set of 1995's Batman Forever he and Val Kilmer ''had a physical pushing match. He was being irrational and ballistic with the first AD, the cameraman, the costume people. He was badly behaved, rude and inappropriate…We had two weeks where he did not speak to me, but it was bliss.'' Kilmer's career has since cooled off; the latest news is that he's contemplating a run for Governor of New Mexico. Hopefully, the people of that great state decide that having another egomaniacal blowhard join the political ranks is not the kind of change this country needs.

Magic Eight Ball

basquille wrote: »

Remember DeNiro did Rocky & Bullwinkle..!

Actually I think we should be more concerned for De Niro considering some of his latest choices.

TheIrishGrover

I heard he disappeared up his own ar5e and all that was left was his voice in KITT knockoff.....

Man, if only that would happen to Vincent Gallo.....

D-Generate

The Salton Sea is a great film to watch but yeah I had heard reports that he is a total dick to work with and no amount of talent will outweigh difficulties that they will present on the set.

kujosHeist

salton sea has to be my fave film ever especially since the misses got me it on dvd, as for val, apparently he hasn't been right in the head since he made the doors film, as he got so deep into the character of jim morrision that it changed him for good....true storey...(i think)

sky88

he is a good actor but in any interview he always seemed like an ahole

humanji

Profiler wrote: »

Was it Kilmer who had a very stange clause inserted in his contracts?

I'm sure I read somewere that stage hands, extras and those who were not on a par with his billing were under no circumstances to make eye contact with Kilmer at any time?

I think that was Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. I heard something about that when they were getting work done on their house that the workmen couldn't look them in the eye. But it could be just one of those rumours that fly about and change from actor to actor, like the Richard Gere gerbil thing.

Deleted User wrote: »

I love Kilmer and rate him as one of my all time favorite actors but from all the stories about him on set he is not exactly pleasant to work with.

I remember seeing on some program somewhere were all that was made up. A lot of the stuff from Island of Dr Moreau was made up by, I think, the original writer who was thrown off set. And most people who've worked with Kilmer think he was great to be around. So, as witht he Tom Cruise thing above, I think it's just one of those things that gets thrown about and people believe it.

Kipperhell

I have always heard he was trouble on set. I believe his dislike for Tom Sizemore stemmed from Heat. Apparently DeNiro and Pacino kept calling him Batboy (reference to being Batman)and winding him up in general. Sizemore was very pally with DeNiro and joined in.

The fact Val Kilmer lost his looks probably has a lot to do with his career at the moment. Obviously doing the voice of KITT was a good choice for him hoping the series would be a hit. Considering he went to school with Kevin Spacey it is interesting to see how career paths can go. Spacey was never about looks but Kilmer was certainly doing well on looks once it fades it must be a hindrance as people remember how he used to look. He has talent but he did rely on his looks

faceman

I never really rated Kilmer that good an actor. I do think he worked with directors and other actors who brought out the best in him, but on his own he's not great IMO

Handsome Bob

humanji wrote: »

I think that was Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. I heard something about that when they were getting work done on their house that the workmen couldn't look them in the eye.

That's a rumour that a lot of celebrities have in common. I also heard it about Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.

Fysh

The best thing Val Kilmer's starred in recently is definitely this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iArICKWF9k

JP Liz

Kilmer's best performance for me was in Tombstone

He really let himself go

doc_17

Kilmer was a good actor but don't think he is good enough for an oscar! too much of a pretty boy

Lirange

JP Liz wrote: »

I can think of a few sidekick roles he could play in a Willow sequel with his new look albeit a much different role from the first. :pac:

TheIrishGrover

JP Liz wrote: »

Kilmer's best performance for me was in Tombstone

He really let himself go

Jebus,he looks like john Ritter

Earthhorse

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

Jebus,he looks like john Ritter

Just what I was thinking. It's uncanny.

Lirange

Give him a felted hat and he's a garden gnome.

Rhyme

Ah leave Gay Perri alone...



...oh wait, Mardis Gras.

Theboinkmaster

humanji wrote: »

I think that was Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. I heard something about that when they were getting work done on their house that the workmen couldn't look them in the eye. But it could be just one of those rumours that fly about and change from actor to actor, like the Richard Gere gerbil thing.



I remember seeing on some program somewhere were all that was made up. A lot of the stuff from Island of Dr Moreau was made up by, I think, the original writer who was thrown off set. And most people who've worked with Kilmer think he was great to be around. So, as witht he Tom Cruise thing above, I think it's just one of those things that gets thrown about and people believe it.

That Tom Cruise thing about making eye contact is utter bo!!ox - everything I've heard about him contradicts that, he seems a genuine enough guy who is amazingly down to earth for the success he's had

Ardent

Fysh wrote: »

The best thing Val Kilmer's starred in recently is definitely this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iArICKWF9k

That's fantastic!

irish_bob

Rhyme wrote: »

Doesn't sound like Kilmer, I've heard people say that he's a nice guy and approachable. Compare that to the walking arsehole that is Bruce Willis.

It does sound like something someone would stick in a contract but more a musical diva than someone like Val Kilmer.

Of course, I could be totally wrong.

i like the idea that bruce willis is an arsehole , its how it should be

DinnyBatman

basquille wrote: »

Kilmer is still great.. a few poor film choices is hardly a downfall.

Remember DeNiro did Rocky & Bullwinkle..!

I can think of a LOT of films before and after Rocky & Bullwinkle that were complete rubbish..........sorry, to prove my point, I can't remember any of them.

Cactus Col

Looking at his credits on imdb, and from various reports, it looks like his reputation caught up with him, just as he had several poor box office runs in a row. After Batman returns and Heat, he had several films that (if I remember correctly) did fairly poorly; The Island of Dr Muraeu, The Saint, At First Sight, Ghost and the Darkness, Red Planet.

After that he seemed to take a couple of years off, and start doing smaller, more interesting films. He was certainly great in Wonderland, and Spartan.

0ubliette

Gost and the Darkness is awesome tho, just watched it last week

Paddy Samurai

Yea i thought he was quite good,one of my favourites was The ghost and the darkness,also thought he was great in Heat.His portrayal of Doc Holliday in Tombstone was brilliant.

Flamed Diving

I think Stallone was the one about that 'eye contact' thing.

indough

Flamed Diving wrote: »

I think Stallone was the one about that 'eye contact' thing.

its been said about a load of people, its an urban myth

Flamed Diving

indough wrote: »

its been said about a load of people, its an urban myth

Although for Joe Pesci, it wouldn't be too difficult.

indough

ziedth wrote: »

Ya I saw a intervier with Colm Meany once and by jesus he tore into him from when he shortly worked with him on die hard.

i always got the impression that colm meany is probably the biggest asshole that ever lived, i wouldnt take a character reference from him very serious anyway

as for val he is a good enough actor, i liked that film wonderland even though most probably hate it

jeffreylebowski

Someone mentioned Felon: I found that a really pleasant surprise. I watched it not expecting much and found myself really drawn in. Val Kilmer was fantastic in it, his scenes with Stephen Dorff had a lot of chemistry I thought, and he still has a lot of magnetism. Just walking around the prison yard, you still felt he's the guy you want to be watching. I think for me a lot of what makes actors great is that, that sense of watchability. Whether it's Cary Grant or Philip Seymour Hoffman, however good bad or indifferent their performance is seemingly a separate thing from the simple fact that I'm interested in looking at them when they're on screen.
(For the record I think both Cary Grant and PSH to be great actors, but what I mean is this watchability is a separate matter)

I loved Spartan, watched it a couple of times.

currythis

'What about Val Kilmer? I believe he's a complete bastard..'

Ted said it best!

qwertplaywert

Kilmer seems to have fallen off the radar of late, but has still, as previously mentioned been cracking out the odd great film[The Salton Sea, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Felon,Spartan] , but his reputation does seem to have caught up with him, given the amount of direct to dvd dross hes been in lately....

bnt

I'm hearing good things about his part in The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans. Put on a few pounds, he has, but that could go.

cable842

Spartan (2004) was a great film thats the best film hes done in 10 years prob.

his last few are really bad. but spartan is class.

also he gained a lot of money remember there was talk that he was goin to be in mission impossible 3.

qwertplaywert

bnt wrote: »

I'm hearing good things about his part in The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call - New Orleans. Put on a few pounds, he has, but that could go.

Hes good in it, but has very little screen time. And hes nothing compared to the brillance that is Nic Cage in it!

TheIrishGrover

qwertplaywert wrote: »

Hes good in it, but has very little screen time. And hes nothing compared to the brillance that is Nic Cage in it!

That's a hell of a statement these days

Sean Quagmire

qwertplaywert wrote: »

And hes nothing compared to the brillance that is Nic Cage in it!

HOWD'IT GET BURNED?!
HOWD'IT GET BURNED?!
HOWD'IT GET BURNED?!

qwertplaywert

TheIrishGrover wrote: »

That's a hell of a statement these days

I honestly think Herzog was the best possibly director for Cage- both such nutjobs[Cage based on his manic preformances, Herzog because hes Herzog]. I think his preformance is close to, while not matching, his work in Adaption, which is surely one of the preformances of this decade.

But I have yet to forgieve Cage for Ghost Rider.

bnt

Old thread, I know, but we have an answer to the OP's question. Kilmer is currently in hospital and has reportedly had surgery to remove a large tumour. According to reports such as this, the thing was huge and caused him difficulty speaking, but he did not seek any medical treatment whatsoever because of his Christian Scientist beliefs.