Featured Image Credit: Paramount Pictures
Topics: Tom Cruise, TV and Film, US News
Dominic Smithers
Top Gun: Maverick has finally landed in cinemas, and fans have been in floods of tears at Val Kilmer's return. Watch the trailer for the new film below:
The 62-year-old starred in the 1986 classic as the cocksure Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky, the nemesis to the equally arrogant Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise.
However, despite being such a central character to the story, Val wasn't actually supposed to be in the new film.
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The Batman Forever star suffered irreparable damage to his voice after undergoing a tracheotomy in 2014 to treat his throat cancer.
He now uses a voice box to communicate, and recently admitted that he struggled to convince producers to include him in the reboot.
Speaking about his return to the Top Gun franchise, Val recently said: "Tom was Maverick, but Maverick's nemesis was Iceman. The two went together like salt and pepper.
"It didn't matter that the producers didn't contact me. As The Temptations sang in the heyday of Motown soul, ‘Ain't too proud to beg'."
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And fans who have piled into the cinemas to see the flick so far are glad he did, with many branding his return the best moment of the entire film.
One emotional fan wrote: "Best scene of the film is Iceman and Maverick reunited, tears flowing a beautiful acted scene with Val and Tom."
Another chimed in: "That scene between Iceman and Maverick had the entire crowd in tears."
"The Val Kilmer scene. Tears may have leaked out. So good to see him," put a third.
While another added: "Actually in tears during your scene. It was an absolute delight to see Ice back."
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In order to allow Iceman to speak freely in the film, Val sought the assistance of British AI company Sonantic, which used recordings from his acting career to recreate his voice.
Described as a 'Photoshop for voice', the tool is available for the actor to use for communicating in his professional and personal life.
"I’m grateful to the entire team at Sonantic who masterfully restored my voice in a way I’ve never imagined possible," Val said.
"As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me.
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"The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift."