In 2005, Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. starred in Shane Black’s Kiss Kiss Bang Bang that went on to become hugely popular with fans across the world. This neo-noir comedy follows the unique story of a petty crook who stumbles upon an audition while escaping the cops and becomes a big star, before getting embroiled in chaotic murder plot involving his girlfriend and a gay private investigator.
The film worked brilliantly for the seamless chemistry between Kilmer and Downey Jr. who brought on the laughs consistently through their collaboration. But one particular sequence in the film may have seemed problematic especially with regard to its reference to the gay community, but managed to just escape criticism thanks to a cleverly written screenplay by Black.
This Val Kilmer Scene Was On The Cusp Of Offending Audiences
Before forming a successful collaboration with Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man 3, Shane Black signed on the actor in his 2005 black comedy Kiss Kiss Bang Bang which also starred Val Kilmer. The film which followed the entertaining partnership between a criminal named Harry Lockhart played by Downey Jr. and a gay cop Perry Van Shrike known as ‘gay’ Shrike played by Kilmer, became a huge fan favorite while also earning the director a lot of acclaim.
One particular interrogation scene (via YouTube) though, may not have aged well with the current generation of viewers and could have been seen as problematic (via Looper). In the scene, the Marvel alum and the Top Gun actor are apprehended by thugs played by Corbin Bensen and Rockmund Dunbar.
With Harry being connected to an electrocution machine to be tortured, Kilmer’s Shrike must use all his guile to get him and his partner out of this precarious situation. As Harry screams in pain, Shrike tries to distract Dunbar’s Mr. Fire by attempting to seduce him. Seeing a disgusted reaction from the thug, he takes it further by gesturing at his crotch and asks him if he is feeling the attraction.
Admit it dude, you got it in you.
As it turned out, this move was a ruse to access his gun which was inside his pants, which he then uses to shoot Mr Fire. He ends with a triumphant statement to his partner and says,
Homophobes never check there.
While the whole sequence is cleverly executed and is extremely funny, it is possible that Black could have become a victim of today’s cancel culture trend if the film had released now. Even though Kilmer’s character is gay, the fact that he uses his sexuality in a way that may have been considered demeaning, could have been questioned by fans of this generation.
In addition, the fact that the Batman actor’s character was called ‘gay’ Shrike could have also been a bone of contention with the community as trying to objectify a person’s sexual preference. But as it turned out, despite walking the fine line between being offensive and being entertaining, the latter won, thanks to Black’s excellent grip on the script that worked wonders for this scene and the film.
Val Kilmer Had The Time Of His Life On The Set Of His Film With Robert Downey Jr.
Two talented actors collaborating and creating wonderful chemistry together on screen is something that audiences flock to cinemas to see. Val Kilmer and Robert Downey Jr. shared this kind of rapport on and off set of their film, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Playing an unlikely cop-criminal pairing, the two stars were a laugh riot through the entire film that went on to become a huge hit with audiences.
The celebrities in an interview with Ian Winterton, spoke about their partnership in the film and the memorable experiences they shared while feeding ideas of each other. Many times when the cameras were rolling, they would improvise their lines, which Kilmer revealed he had a blast doing, especially since he could completely take off on his co-actor who had to play a less clever character in the film.
He’s actually very smart but because he’s acting dumb he can’t say anything back to me.
The MCU actor for his part, was all praise for his co-star and his instinctive ability to create a scene on the spot.
He’s Val godd**m Kilmer.. He’s amazing. The stuff he came up with on the spot was great. Like when he’s supposed to tell me to put my cigarette out and I ask him where and he just deadpans, ‘Throw it in that clump of dry bushes, you moron’.
The camaraderie between both celebrities and their characters that was beautifully brought a full circle by director Shane Black, resulted in the film being a big success with critics and fans globally.