Val Kilmer's Missed Opportunity: The David Lynch Film He Turned Down

Val Kilmer has always been passionate about acting. He started with theater, playing Hotspur in "Henry IV, Part 1" in 1981. This led to him acting alongside future stars Kevin Bacon, Jackie Earle Haley, and Sean Penn in "The Slab Boys. " Kilmer was so dedicated that he turned down a role in "The Outsiders" by Francis Ford Coppola. Some might think that was a bad career move, but it led him to his film debut in the hilarious "Top Secret! " in 1984. Kilmer admits he wasn't happy with the film because he was still stuck on his classical theater training. He wanted to do projects that interested him. After proving he was funny and handsome, Kilmer starred in more comedies and action films. Around this time, director David Lynch offered him a role in the crime drama "Blue Velvet, " but Kilmer turned it down. In a 2005 interview with Attitude Magazine, Kilmer said he regretted many of the roles he refused, including this one.