Batman & Robin (film) on "Forever". "He sort of quit," Schumacher said, "and we sort of fired him." Schumacher would later go on to say that Kilmer wanted to work on "Island of Doctor Moreau" because Marlon Brando was cast in the film. Kilmer said he was not aware of the fast-track production and was already committed to "The Saint" (1997). Schumacher originally had a strong interest in casting William Baldwin in Kilmer's place, but George Clooney was cast instead. Schumacher believed Clooney could provide a lighter interpretation of the character than Michael Keaton (in "Batman" and "Batman Returns") and Kilmer. The shooting schedule
Val Kilmer Genius." He turned down a role in David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" before being cast as naval aviator "Iceman" in the action film "Top Gun" alongside Tom Cruise. "Top Gun" grossed a total of $344,700,000 worldwide and made Kilmer a major star. Following roles in the television films "The Murders in the Rue Morgue" and "The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains," Kilmer played Madmartigan in the fantasy "Willow;" he met his future wife, co-star Joanne Whalley, on the film's set. Kilmer starred in the Colorado Shakespeare Festival production of "Hamlet" in 1988. In 1989, Kilmer played the lead in both "Kill