Val Kilmer makes rare public appearance after cancer battle as he delights fans at 'Top Gun' screening
Val Kilmer was seen at a special screening for his 1986 iconic film 'Top Gun' over the weekend in Austin, Texas. The actor will also be starring in the upcoming sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick' opposite Tom Cruise.
Kilmer seemed to be in great spirits as he met delighted and excited fans and even posed for pictures with them. The 59-year-old was seen sporting a pale pink shirt for the screening which had taken place outdoors. The event was hosted by the Austin Food and Wine Alliance and Rolling Roadshow. Although Kilmer has been battling with throat cancer and has struggled to speak, he has remained as active in the show business as ever.
While doing an interview with Hollywood Reporter in 2017, Kilmer got candid about his throat cancer. The article spoke about how his 2-year-long cancer battle had "taken its toll" on his family. It also revealed that he had gone through a procedure on his trachea which left his voice raspy and left him short of breath.
Earlier in July, he was seen at the NOVUS Summit SDG Moonshots at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. He also delivered a speech ahead of being honored for his work with the TwainMania Foundation. The TwainMania Foundation is an organization that he created to educate and inform children about author Mark Twain and his legacy. Kilmer's outing followed his costar Tom Cruise's surprise appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con where the first trailer of the new 'Top Gun: Maverick' debuted. Both the actors will be taking up their old roles in the upcoming film.
Cruise shared with the crowd, "You’ve all asked for many, many years asking, ‘Why don’t you do another one? When are you going to do another one?’ In 34 years you guys have been very, very patient with me. I felt it was my responsibility to finally really deliver for you. I have a little piece here if you want to see it. This is our very first trailer. You are the first people in the world to see it. And everything you see in this film is for real."
'Top Gun: Maverick' will be taking place decades after the original film had released. It is all set to feature Tom Cruise's return as his iconic character Maverick with Miles Teller playing Bradley Bradshaw. Kilmer will also make a comeback in the film after years of speculated health problems.