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 portrayed in Stone's interpretation. In the early 1990s, Kilmer starred in the mystery thriller "Thunderheart", the action comedy "The Real McCoy", and again teamed with "Top Gun" director Tony Scott to play Elvis Presley in "True Romance", which was written by Quentin Tarantino. In 1993, Kilmer played Doc Holliday in the western "Tombstone" alongside Kurt Russell. In the film, Doc Holliday performs Chopin's Nocturne in E minor, Op.72, No. 1; however, Kilmer does not play the piano and he practiced that one piece for months in preparation. In 1995, Kilmer starred in "Wings of Courage", a 3D IMAX film, and