Tom Cruise paused the glitz and glamour of CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Thursday to pay tribute to his late Top Gun co-star, Val Kilmer. In a touching moment, Cruise led the audience of cinema owners and industry insiders in a moment of silence to honour the actor, who passed away this week at the age of 65.
ALSO SEE: Val Kilmer, star of Top Gun, dies at 65
“I’d like to honour a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer,” Cruise began. “I really can’t tell you how much I admired his work, how much I thought of him as a human being, and how grateful and honoured I was when he joined Top Gun—and then came back for Top Gun: Maverick.”
Kilmer’s death comes after a long battle with throat cancer, which was first diagnosed in 2014. He had also recently been treated for pneumonia. Though his voice and physical health were severely impacted in recent years, Kilmer made a powerful return in the Top Gun sequel, playing an older, more vulnerable version of his iconic character, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky.
(Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images for CinemaCon)
“I wish you well on your next journey”
Cruise, visibly emotional, asked the audience at Caesars Palace to “take a moment and just think about all the wonderful times that we had watching Val Kilmer on the big screen.” The room fell silent in memory of the actor whose career spanned decades and included legendary roles in The Doors, Batman Forever, and Heat.
“I wish you well on your next journey,” Cruise said, addressing Kilmer directly. “Thank you all for doing that. I know he appreciates it.”
Remembering a Hollywood icon
Kilmer rose to fame in the 1980s and ‘90s with a mix of charm, intensity, and undeniable screen presence. His role in the original Top Gun as the sharp and stoic Iceman became one of his most memorable—and beloved—performances. When Top Gun: Maverick premiered in 2022, Kilmer’s return, despite his health struggles, was one of the film’s most emotional highlights.
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Cruise teases final Mission: Impossible
Following the tribute, Cruise introduced new footage from Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, which is set to hit cinemas on 23 May. The trailer promises the franchise’s signature mix of high-octane stunts and nostalgic flashbacks, with Cruise’s Ethan Hunt once again facing impossible odds.
From clinging to a biplane soaring through a canyon to revisiting iconic moments like the laser-dodging heist and the Burj Khalifa climb, the trailer plays like a love letter to the franchise—and to Cruise’s career.
“I need you to trust me one last time,” his character says in the trailer, hinting at a dramatic conclusion to the long-running series.
As the industry gears up for another summer of blockbusters, Cruise’s heartfelt words served as a powerful reminder of the people and friendships behind the scenes—and of the legacy Val Kilmer leaves behind.
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Featured Image: Getty / IMDB
