Cruise “rallied hard" for Kilmer to appear in the sequel. Filming was "emotional" and tears were shed. Kilmer said playing Iceman again was like reuniting "with a long-lost friend."

Hollywood superstar Tom Cruise shared a deep friendship with the late Val Kilmer. Kilmer died on Tuesday, aged 65.Around two years ago, Cruise opened up about his bond with Kilmer on Jimmy Kimmel Live and shared how he had gotten emotional on set during the filming of Top Gun: Maverick.

Cruise and Kilmer played Tom "Iceman" Kazansky opposite of Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the 1986 film 'Top Gun'