Kilmer's single scene as Iceman is one of the most emotional in "Top Gun: Maverick," especially since it incorporates the actor's real-life struggles. Iceman is shown typing most of his conversation with Maverick and is in the late stages of an unspecified illness that has taken his voice. In real life, Kilmer has battled throat cancer, which left him with severe difficulty speaking.
For the few spoken lines Iceman has in the new movie, the filmmakers turned to advanced AI technology. According to Fortune, the tech startup Sonatic worked with the creative team and Kilmer to digitally re-create Kilmer's voice using real, archival recordings of his previous work.
"As human beings, the ability to communicate is the core of our existence, and the effects from throat cancer have made it difficult for others to understand me," Kilmer said of the process. "The chance to tell my story, in a voice that feels authentic and familiar, is an incredibly special gift."
