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 Kilmer Echo. Kilmer also played the role of Detective Dobson in the series finale of the television show "Psych". In 2017, Kilmer appeared in "Song to Song" opposite Rooney Mara and Ryan Gosling and directed by Terrence Malick. Kilmer also appeared in the 2017 film,"The Snowman" opposite Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson and directed by Tomas Alfredson. On June 7, 2018, it was confirmed Kilmer would be reprising his role as Lt. Tom "Iceman" Kazanski for the upcoming "Top Gun" sequel "". Kevin Spacey told James Lipton on "Inside the Actors Studio" that one of the turning points of his life