Val Kilmer reported to be a top contender, though just days after Keaton dropped out, Kilmer was cast. Kilmer took the role without even knowing who the new director was and without reading the script. Released in June 1995, "Batman Forever" was a success at the box office, despite receiving mixed reviews from critics. There was debate about Kilmer's performance: some critics, like "The New York Times" Janet Maslin, thought Kilmer was a poor successor to Keaton in the part; while others, such as Roger Ebert, had kind words for Kilmer. "Batman" creator Bob Kane said in a "Cinescape" interview that of
Val Pollard alongside Chris Chittell, but lost to "Coronation Street"'s David Neilson (Roy Cropper) and Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper). In September 2015, Laura-Jayne Tyler of "Inside Soap" commented on Hardwick's appearances as Val after her death, "No one has ever done a better job of milking their death than Charlie Hardwick, aka Val Pollard. Her DVD of final requests was certainly 'Val-tacular' - and quite incredibly camp!" Val Pollard Valerie "Val" Pollard (also Lambert) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, "Emmerdale", played by Charlie Hardwick. She made her first screen appearance in the episodes broadcast on 1 February