Val Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday inTombstoneis by far his most iconic role, and he was so good in the classic Western that it actually earned him his second-best role as well.Tombstonehas gone down as one of thebest Western movies ever made, and its glowing reputation was due in no small part to Val Kilmer. In the years sinceTombstone’s release, Kilmer has gotten a lot of praise forDoc Holliday’s best moments inTombstone, his endless list of quotable one-liners, and just the general excellence of his performance.Tombstonewill easily go down as one ofVal Kilmer’s most memorable performances.
Tombstonewas great on its own, but it also proved to be great for Val Kilmer’s career. It wasn’t exactly a breakout role for Kilmer, but many of his best films did followTombstone, such asHeatandThe Island of Doctor Moreau. More than that, however, Kilmer’s performance inTombstonedirectly led to him being case in his second most well-known movie role, as Bruce Wayne inBatman Forever. Through an incredibly lucky stroke of timing, Doc Holliday helped Val Kilmer become Bruce Wayne.
Joel Schumacher Decided To Cast Val Kilmer As Batman After Watching Tombstone
When Michael Keaton Dropped Out Of Batman Forever, Joel Schumacher Decided Val Kilmer Was A Perfect Replacement
In an interview with Charlie Rose (via Manufacturing Intellect),Batman Foreverdirector Joel Schumacher explained how he cast Val Kilmer as Bruce Wayne.In Schumacher’s words, he sawTombstonewhen it came out on Christmas day in 1993 and thought that Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday was proof that he would make an excellent Bruce Wayne. Schumacher even said that Kilmer was “fantastic in [Tombstone].” Shortly thereafter, Michael Keaton, who starred in bothBatmanandBatman Returns, parted ways with Warner Brothers and dropped out of Schumacher’s sequel, and Schumacher brought Kilmer on in his stead.
Because Joel Schumacher sawTombstone, Val Kilmer ended up getting his second most iconic role. There were a lot of problems withBatman Forever, of course.Kilmer reportedly hated playing Batman, and his only turn at the cowl proved deeply divisive to viewers and critics alike.Batman Forever’s mixed legacy doesn’t take away from the fact that Kilmer was excellent as Bruce Wayne, however, and it certainly doesn’t make the film any less memorable a part of Kilmer’s legacy. As memorable as Kilmer’s turn at Batman was, however, it didn’t surpass the movie that made it possible,Tombstone.
Val Kilmer Was A Great Batman (But Doc Holliday Is His Most Iconic Character)
Kilmer Added An Interesting Chapter To Batman’s History, But He WAS Doc Holliday
Simply put, Val Kilmer was a lot better at playing Batman than many people give him credit for. As Bruce Wayne, he was suave, charming, clever, and witty. As Batman, Kilmer was intimidating and dark, but he still managed to pull offBatman Forever’s goofy tone and silly humor.As good as he was, however, Kilmer was even better inTombstonethan he was inBatman Forever. There’s really no way to overstate just how impressive Kilmer’s performance as Doc Holliday was. It’s not a slight toBatman Forever, it’s just a testament to how impressiveTombstonereally was.
Many of Doc Holliday’s best moments are also thebest scenes inTombstonein general. There are countless quotable one-liners from Doc Holliday, like “I’m your huckleberry,” or “You’re a daisy if you do,” countless flourishes where Kilmer truly shines, and plenty of standout moments. The best example of just how impressive Kilmer was is the rest of thecast ofTombstone.In a movie led by Kurt Russell, Sam Elliott, Powers Boothe, and Michael Biehn, among many others, Kilmer stole the show. Val Kilmer’s performance inTombstonewas utterly iconic, so much so that it made another iconic movie possible.
Tombstone
Cast
Tombstone chronicles legendary marshal Wyatt Earp and his brothers as they seek fortune in a prosperous mining town. Forced to confront a gang threatening the community, Earp joins forces with the infamous Doc Holliday, highlighting a tense battle between lawmen and outlaws in the American West.
Batman Forever
After Tim Burton’s plans for a third Batman film fell through, director Joel Schumacher took over the franchise with 1995’s Batman Forever. Replacing Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer stars as Bruce Wayne opposite to Jim Carrey and Tommy Lee Jones, who play The Riddler and Two-Face, respectively. Batman Forever also marks the first time Robin appears on the big screen since Burt Ward reprised his Boy Wonder role in 1966’s Batman: The Movie.
