Director Adam Marcus has made headlines with his scathing assessment of late actor Val Kilmer, branding him 'the worst human being I've ever known'. Speaking on a podcast, Marcus revealed that Kilmer's on-set actions would have led to cancellation today, were he still working in the industry.
Marcus, who directed Top Gun 2, the 2019 sequel to the classic action film, had previously worked with Kilmer on the project. He described Kilmer as 'a nightmare to work with', saying that his on-set behaviour was often 'crazy' and 'selfish'.
'He was the worst human being I've ever known,' Marcus said. 'He would have been cancelled in a blink of an eye if his actions had occurred today.'
Kilmer's reputation has been the subject of much speculation over the years, with many in the industry speaking of his difficult behaviour on set. However, Marcus's comments are some of the most damning yet, and serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many who have worked with the late actor.
Top Gun 2 was a major commercial success, grossing over £200 million at the UK box office and £1.5 billion worldwide. However, the film's production was marked by controversy, with reports of Kilmer's difficult behaviour on set.
Marcus's comments have sparked a renewed debate about the treatment of actors and the pressures of working in the entertainment industry. While some have defended Kilmer, arguing that he was a complex and troubled individual, others have come out in support of Marcus, saying that his comments are long overdue.
The BAFTA-winning film is available to stream on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video and Sky Cinema in the UK.