Val Kilmer was thrilled for the opportunity to reprise his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022 as he reunited in an emotional moment with his co-star Tom Cruise.

The pair first starred together in the original Top Gun in 1986, as Val took on the role of Maverick’s nemesis Iceman. 

And 36 years on the pair reunited once again for the sequel as the duo filmed with ‘tears in their eyes’. 

Speaking in his Amazon Prime documentary in 2021, Val admitted: ‘I would purposely play up the rivalry between Tom’s character and mine, and what ended up happening is true method fashion.’

He added: ‘It was fun to play up the rivalry between our characters, but in reality I’ve always thought of Tom as a friend – and we’ve always supported each other.’

In what became his final big screen appearance in Top Gun Maverick, movie magic happened when Maverick and Iceman meet and the latter communicates via typed words on a screen as the character has throat cancer like Val’s real life diagnosis.

Val Kilmer had a touching bond with Tom Cruise after the pair reunited 36 years since first starring together in 1986’s Top Gun (pictured) in an emotional moment

Movie magic happened when Maverick and Iceman meet and the latter communicates via typed words on a screen as the character has throat cancer like Val’s real life diagnosis

He goes on to use his actual voice to communicate with his longtime pal in a moment which Val described to the publication as: ‘Very personal and moving.’

The screen icon was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014 and underwent surgery, including a tracheotomy which created an artificial hole in his neck to help him breath. 

However this significantly impacted his ability to speak and permanently damaged his vocal cords and forever altered his speaking voice.

It definitely seemed to be a rollercoaster of emotions for the two A-listers as director Joseph Kosinski described a touching moment between the longtime pals. 

He said: ‘After one of the takes (we only did a few) I noticed that both Tom and Val had tears in their eyes. It felt like a genuine moment between two old friends.’

Kosinski added that the two stars helped each other raise their acting performances in a show of true spirit.

He said: ‘You’ve got two masters at the top of their game playing the most iconic characters of their careers. I think there is a lot of Maverick in Tom, and Iceman in Val, so what you are seeing onscreen is an authentic friendship that has lasted over 36 years.’

Val also gushed over being a part of the film second time around as he said: ‘It was lovely. The whole experience, you know, 36 years to make this film. 

Val said of their friendship: ‘It was fun to play up the rivalry between our characters, but in reality I’ve always thought of Tom as a friend – and we’ve always supported each other’ 

The actor previously admitted that he had not been approached about appearing in a proposed Top Gun sequel so Tom reportedly rallied the troops to ensure his buddy was included 

Speaking specifically on working with Tom he added: ‘He’s an actor that I greatly admire, so it was wonderful’ (pictured in 1986)

Read More A look back at Val Kilmer’s most iconic roles as Batman and Top Gun star dies aged 65

‘There were so many moments in making it that were very special, incredibly unique.’

Speaking specifically on working with Tom he added: ‘He’s an actor that I greatly admire, so it was wonderful.’

Tom also admitted emotions were high on set as he spoke about reuniting with his on screen rival on Jimmy Kimmel in 2023. 

He confessed: ‘I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again.

‘I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional. He’s such a brilliant actor, I love his work.’

Val previously admitted in a 2013 interview that he had not been approached about appearing in a proposed Top Gun sequel so Tom reportedly rallied the troops to ensure his buddy was included.

In an interview with People, producer Jerry Bruckheimer declared, ‘Tom said he wasn’t going to make the movie without him.’

As such, once the final script was approved, it made allowances for Ice who had been promoted to Admiral to take part in the fun.

‘So the fact that he was able to do it and he worked with us on the script,’ explained the producer, ‘to have him there and be a part of it was a really emotional day when we filmed him. 

Val Kilmer died aged 65 on Tuesday from pneumonia after a long health battle

‘Because you want to see those two on the screen again, Iceman and Maverick going at it. And that’s what movie making and audiences love.’ 

Top Gun: Maverick opened number one at the box office, earning a whopping $124 million dollars in the US. 

Val Kilmer died aged 65 on Tuesday after a long health battle.

His daughter Mercedes Kilmer, whom he shared with ex-wife Joanne Whalley, revealed he pᴀssed from pneumonia in Los Angeles.