Key Takeaways:
• Val Kilmer recalls his time with Marlon Brando on the set of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ as positive.
• The film, directed by John Frankenheimer after Richard Stanley’s exit, was a box office flop.
• Kilmer criticizes Frankenheimer and the production difficulties.
• Despite the film’s failure, Kilmer remains grateful for Brando’s support during his personal crisis.
Val Kilmer’s Fond Memories of Marlon Brando:
In a recent Reddit Q&A, actor Val Kilmer reminisced about his working experience with the late Hollywood icon, Marlon Brando. It was during the production of the widely controversial and ill-received film, ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau.’ Despite the setbacks the film faced and the harsh criticism it received post-release, Kilmer holds heartwarming memories of his time with Brando.
Kilmer was going through a divorce during the film’s production. Brando, displaying compassionate support, offered to mediate conversations with Kilmer’s ex-spouse for the sake of their children. Kilmer appreciated these gestures and fondly remembers Brando as “one of the funniest men on earth.”
Turbulent Production of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’:
The production of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau,’ a 1996 movie produced by New Line Cinema, was marked with a series of problems. The movie was initially set to be directed by Richard Stanley. However, due to production issues, he was asked to leave and replaced by John Frankenheimer, who completed the film. Unfortunately, Frankenheimer’s efforts did not bear fruit as the film bombed at the box office and faced harsh criticism from both critics and the audience.
Kilmer’s Reflections on John Frankenheimer and the Film’s Production:
Despite fond memories of working with Brando, Kilmer doesn’t share the same affection for the film’s production process and its end result. As part of the Reddit Q&A, Kilmer shared his thoughts on Frankenheimer and the issues that plagued the film’s production. He disagreed with Frankenheimer’s attempts to blame him for the film’s failure, noting it doesn’t make sense given he didn’t feature in the latter part of the film.
Kilmer looked back on the film’s production with disappointment and regret, wishing that a behind-the-scenes documentary could have been made. He believed the making of the film, filled with various setbacks and personal drama, would have been “more interesting than what was happening in front of the camera.” Unfortunately, the studio rejected his proposal, and the idea never materialized.
The Damning Legacy of ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’:
‘The Island of Dr. Moreau,’ a story about a mad scientist transforming animals into human-like creatures, was poorly received. It holds a dismal 22% score on Rotten Tomatoes, marking its severe failure. The film was not only slammed by critics but also recorded a disappointing performance at the box office. Despite Kilmer’s and Brando’s involvement, the project could not save itself from disaster.
To date, Val Kilmer holds on to the dear memories with Marlon Brando as a saving grace amid a highly unwelcoming experience on the film set. Regardless of the film’s reception, the bond shared between Kilmer and Brando during their time on ‘The Island of Dr. Moreau’ remains a silver lining for Kilmer.
