During a brief hiatus , he backpacked throughout Europe before going on to play the lead character in the 1985 comedy '' Real 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 Me Again , '' again opposite Whalley , and in TNT 's '' Billy the Kid . '' After several delays , director Oliver Stone finally started production on the film '' The Doors '' , based on the band of the same name . Kilmer spoke with Oliver Stone early on , concerned about what he might want to do with the story because Kilmer did not believe in or want to promote substance abuse . Kilmer saw Morrison as having picked the wrong heroes , who had different issues , that were not part of the creativity or inspiration . Kilmer saw Morrison 's story as one that could be told " a thousand different ways " and did n't want to tell it by playing the role in the style of drugs , with which Oliver Stone agreed . Kilmer memorized the lyrics to all of lead singer Jim Morrison 's songs prior to his audition , and sent a video of himself performing some Doors songs to director Stone . Stone was not impressed with the tape , but Paul Rothchild ( the original producer of The Doors ) said " I was shaken by it " and suggested they record Kilmer in the studio . After Kilmer was cast as Morrison , he prepared for the role by attending Doors tribute concerts and reading Morrison 's poetry
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Colorado Shakespeare Festival
Val Kilmer