Val Kilmer had to bow out of Willow series for health reasons

Despite a desire to reprise his role as Madmartigan, Val Kilmer was forced out of his role in the Willow TV series due to health concerns during the pandemic.

According to showrunner Jonathan Kasdan, “As COVID overtook the world, it became insurmountable…We were prepping in the spring of the year that it was most happening. And Val reluctantly didn’t feel he could come out.”

Val Kilmer wanted to be part of the project–as did fans, considering Madmartigan is one of the most beloved characters in the 1988 Ron Howard movie. However, just because Kilmer isn’t it season one doesn’t mean he can’t turn up in the future. “We wanted to leave open the door to any possibility in the future and also honor the spirit of him…We’ve tried to do that and work with him in a way so that he is felt and heard, if not seen.”

It was announced earlier this year that Val Kilmer was actively involved in the project, but his oft-discussed health–particularly throat cancer, which eventually caused him to have his voice reduced to a rasp–resulted in him sitting out. His physical presence is certainly missed in the series, so hopefully he can be worked into future seasons.

However, Val Kilmer was able to turn up for a small role in this year’s Top Gun: Maverick, which he proudly wedged his way into, writing, “It didn’t matter that the producers didn’t contact me. As the Temptations sang in the heyday of Motown soul, ‘ain’t too proud to beg.’ I’d not only contact the producers but create heartrending scenes with Iceman.”

Willow premiered on Disney+ last month, with the first season set to conclude in January.

What do you think of the Willow series? What would the addition of Val Kilmer bring to it? Let us know your thoughts below.