UMVA has learned that a shocking revelation about Val Kilmer's behavior on set has been made public by one of his former collaborators, director Adam Marcus.
Marcus, who worked with Kilmer on the 2008 action thriller Conspiracy, has branded the late actor 'the worst human being I've ever known'. The director's scathing comments have sparked a renewed conversation about Kilmer's reputation and behavior in the film industry.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Marcus took to social media to express his disdain for Kilmer, posting a photo of the two on set along with a disparaging message. The post, which has since been deleted, described Kilmer as 'the Putz' and claimed that if he 'did one-tenth of what he did on my set today, he would have been cancelled in a blink'.
Marcus's comments are not isolated, as Kilmer faced similar criticism from other industry professionals in the past. His Batman Forever director, Joel Schumacher, previously described Kilmer as 'childish and impossible' and suggested he was a 'psychologically disturbed human being'.
Kilmer, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 65, had previously defended himself against such claims. In a 2003 interview, he acknowledged that he had been 'careless' in his approach to his career, but also suggested that some of his critics were motivated by personal agendas.
However, in his 2021 documentary Val, Kilmer took a more reflective tone, admitting that he had 'behaved poorly' and 'bizarrely' at times. The documentary, which was narrated by his son Jack after Kilmer lost his voice to throat cancer, offered a nuanced look at Kilmer's life and career.
The controversy surrounding Kilmer's legacy has continued to unfold, with the recent announcement of an AI-rendered version of the actor appearing in an upcoming movie, As Deep As the Grave. The trailer for the film sparked widespread criticism, with some viewers accusing the filmmakers of 'necromancy'.
Despite the backlash, the film's producers have defended their decision, arguing that Kilmer had expressed a desire to continue his legacy beyond his life. As the debate surrounding Kilmer's behavior and legacy continues, one thing is clear: his impact on the film industry will be remembered for years to come.
