Val Kilmer shared with Matthew Modine his frustration about ?tired of you getting all the jobs in town,? inadvertently revealing details about the iconic film Full Metal Jacket. This candid remark highlights the competitive nature of Hollywood, where actors often vie for limited roles. The complex dynamics between actors can lead to unexpected revelations, sometimes even impacting casting decisions. Kilmer’s comment, while seemingly casual, underscores how interconnected the lives of actors can be, especially when they are in contention for significant roles in major films.
Matthew Modine’s role in Stanley Kubrick?s Full Metal Jacket marked a significant moment in his career, but it might have turned out differently if Val Kilmer had not expressed his irritation. While many might assume Kilmer played a supportive role in Modine?s casting through recommendations or auditions, the reality was quite the opposite. Kilmer, feeling overshadowed by Modine’s success in securing prominent roles, unintentionally spilled the beans about Full Metal Jacket after presuming he had also landed that part. This unexpected exchange illustrates the intertwined fates of actors in Hollywood and how one comment can change the course of a career.
?I was with the wonderful actor David Alan Grier at The Source on Hollywood Boulevard,? Modine shared with THR. ?While enjoying pancakes and discussing life, I noticed someone looking at me, clearly gesturing to go f* myself. I told David, ?Unless this guy?s got Tourette?s or he?s an actor rehearsing a monologue, he?s definitely telling me to go f* myself.? David then glanced over and said, ?Oh, that?s Val Kilmer. He?s a really nice guy.?? This amusing anecdote highlights the often humorous and unpredictable interactions within the film industry.
When Modine approached Kilmer, he was surprised to find that Kilmer already recognized him. ?I had just transitioned from roles in Private School and Streamers to Vision Quest and Mrs. Soffel. Despite the fact that Val could have easily been cast in any of these films, he wasn’t,? Modine recounted. ?Val bluntly stated, ?I?m sick of you. I?m tired of you taking all the jobs in town, and now you?re doing Full Metal Jacket.? I quickly clarified, ?I?m not doing Full Metal Jacket.? I explained that auditions were required, which Val had indeed completed. His dedication during the audition process was well-documented in his own documentary, showcasing the depths he explored for that role. I assured him, ?I promise you, I didn?t audition for Full Metal Jacket, so I?m not involved.?? This exchange not only reveals the competitive spirit among actors but also the intricate process of casting in major productions.
Immediately after breakfast, Modine felt compelled to reach out to his manager. ?I dashed to a payphone, inserting a handful of quarters to call my manager in New York. I exclaimed, ?This actor just informed me that I?m set to star in Kubrick?s movie Full Metal Jacket. Do you have any insights about this?? He replied, ?I?m not aware of anything.? So I proposed, ?Since Kubrick collaborates with Warner Bros., and we have Vision Quest there, let?s reach out to [Vision Quest director] Harold Becker and Warner Bros. to send a print to Stanley Kubrick for his review. I?ll also contact Alan Parker in London to forward some scenes from [Birdy?s edit].? Modine’s proactive approach paid off when he received the script for Full Metal Jacket a month later. It included a personal note from Kubrick which read: ?Hello, my name is Stanley Kubrick. I?m a film director, and I wonder if you?d consider being in my film.? This pivotal moment showcases how opportunity can arise from unexpected sources and interactions, ultimately shaping an actor?s career in significant ways.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6Y4mXEomZ4
