Val Kilmer MacGruber joke refusal was a surprising moment behind the scenes of the outrageous 2010 comedy. While the legendary actor was game for playing the over-the-top villain Dieter Von Cunth in MacGruber, he drew the line at one particularly outrageous gag.
On the April 15 episode of The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast, filmmaker Jorma Taccone shared that Kilmer declined to take part in a highly explicit joke originally included in the film’s script.
“He did the movie, but there was one bit he just wouldn’t do,” said Taccone. “We wanted to include a scene where his character’s penis was cut off and put in his mouth. That’s the one he said no to.”
Even though the shocking idea didn’t make the final cut, a trailer for MacGruber still features Will Forte’s title character threatening Von Cunth with that exact act.
Late Night host Seth Meyers agreed with Kilmer’s judgment. “Looking back, it was a wise call,” Meyers said. “It would have been much harder to discuss his legacy if that had made it into the film.”
Val Kilmer MacGruber joke refusal surprised the crew
Taccone, along with MacGruber stars Will Forte and John Solomon, admitted they were caught off guard when Kilmer agreed to be in the film at all—especially given the movie’s raunchy tone. What’s more surprising? Kilmer had never read the script before showing up for the table read.
“He read it cold,” said Taccone. “And absolutely nailed it.”
Val Kilmer MacGruber joke refusal reflects his instincts
According to Forte, Kilmer wasn’t even officially cast when he attended the table read. “He came in as a favor—but we didn’t even know who the favor was for,” Forte recalled. “We were just thrilled to have him there.”
Their collaboration blossomed into a genuine friendship, one that Forte honored in a touching essay after Kilmer’s death on April 1 at the age of 65. He described Kilmer as “the most unique person” he had ever met.
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Source: www.people.com
