Summary
Kurt Russell was not only a driving force behindTombstonebecoming a success, but he was also very supportive of his co-stars, including Val Kilmer, who received a fitting gift after the movie wrapped filming. The 1993 Western didn’t make much of a major splash at the box office, but over 30 years later, the movie is now considered a classic. Thetrue story tale of Wyatt Earp and Doc Hollidaywasn’t an original idea for a movie, butTombstone’s notable cast has dramatically altered the movie’s lasting legacy.
Russell portrayed Wyatt Earp opposite Kilmer’s role as gunman Doc Holliday. Though Kilmer’s performance as Doc was a highlight ofTombstone, the movie may have never been released without Russell. After the original director was fired fromTombstone, Russell heavily worked with George P. Cosmatos to get the project back on track. In fact,Russell essentially served as a director onTombstone. Though filming in Arizona may have been grueling for the cast and crew, it ultimately paid off, and Russell was aware of how hard everyone worked on the movie.
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Kurt Russell Gave Val Kilmer A Burial Plot After Filming Tombstone
Kilmer Gifted Russell Something Just As Special
In the years sinceTombstonewas released, many cast members have praised Kurt Russell for steering the movie in the right direction, but the praise has gone both ways. In an interview withGQ, Russell spoke about his most memorable roles, including his time as Wyatt Earp. He also shared his admiration for Val Kilmer, revealing he gifted his co-star a burial plot in Boothill cemetery. Even funnier was thatKilmer gave Russell an acre of land that overlooks Boothill,something he decided on before receiving Russell’sTombstonegift.
the gifts shared between him and Russell are even more perfect when looking back at the relationship between Wyatt and Doc
Boothill, of course, is the famous graveyard featured inTombstone, but it’s also a real cemetery. It’s unclear if Kilmer intends to use his burial plot in Arizona, but the gifts shared between him and Russell are even more perfect when looking back at the relationship between Wyatt and Doc. The two were very close friends, but a Russell reminder, “Doc Holiday is all about death,” whereas Wyatt embraced life. The gifts not only encapsulated theTombstonecharacters but also proved how well Russell and Kilmer understood the characters.
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Tombstone’s Behind-The-Scenes Details Keep Getting Better
Val Kilmer Really Knew How To Get Into Character
While Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer’s gifts might be great, they arenot the only noteworthy behind-the-scenes tidbits to come out ofTombstone. As mentioned, Tombstone was filmed on location in Arizona, meaning weather conditions were a real challenge. Seeing as the movie attempted to have authentic costumes for the 1918 setting, filming in the heat was difficult, but it helped explainwhy Doc Holliday was sweating so much inTombstonebeyond the character’s illness.
Val Kilmer, in particular, truly embraced his role as Doc. Aside fromKilmer learning piano forTombstone’s bar scene, the actor acknowledged Doc Holliday’s best one-liners by titling his autobiography “I’m Your Huckleberry.” If Kilmer didn’t embrace Doc’s eccentric demeanor, the movie may not be the cult classic it is today. With Russell’s hand in Doc’s arc, it’s safe to say that both men were pivotal in makingTombstoneone of the most beloved Westerns in history.
Source:GQ
Tombstone
Tombstone chronicles legendary marshal Wyatt Earp and his brothers as they seek fortune in a prosperous mining town. Forced to confront a gang threatening the community, Earp joins forces with the infamous Doc Holliday, highlighting a tense battle between lawmen and outlaws in the American West.
