Tom Cruise shares working experience with late pal Val Kilmer in 'Top Gun: Maverick

Tom Cruise has shared his working experience with Val Kilmer in Top Gun: Maverick following his tragic death.

In a new interview with Sight and Sound magazine, the 62-year-old actor praised the late star's powerful performance in the 2022 sequel, saying it was 'beautiful' to see Val reprising his iconic role as Iceman, more than three decades after they first appeared together on screen.

"You look at Iceman in the first movie, and then again here, what a journey. He didn't even have to speak. That's the gift he had, and he shared it with all of us. Beautiful, really beautiful," said Tom.

The Hollywood Legend further said, "It was like time hadn't passed. We were laughing, and it was joyous. And then we started acting... he became Iceman. The power this guy has - even in silence - he became that character. Just a sniff, a look - he was Iceman."

Recalling Val’s iconic role, Tom remarked, "He had to hit just the right tone. He played it so well that, by the end, you wanted those guys to be friends.

"I remember that moment when he did that little bite move-it was electric. When you're acting with someone and they're just on, it's exhilarating,” continued the Mission Impossible star.

For those unversed, Val breathed his last on April 1 at the age of 64. As per The Mirror, the actor died due to complications from pneumonia.

Tom shared the screen with Val for the first time in 1986's Top Gun.