A year after Val Kilmer’s death at age 65, director Adam Marcus has publicly criticized the late actor in a June 1 Facebook post about their work together on the 2008 thriller Conspiracy. Marcus, who directed Kilmer and shared a set photo from the film, said he was speaking out despite objections to criticizing the dead.
In the post, Marcus identified Kilmer by his best-known roles, including Iceman in Top Gun and Doc Holliday in Tombstone, before saying, “So yeah, that happened.” He then made serious allegations about Kilmer’s behavior during filming, claiming the actor was physically violent, sexually harassed female cast members, and was verbally abusive on set.
Marcus also stated that Kilmer “kicked me in my crotch” on the sixth day of shooting because Marcus would not look at his new Crocs. He added a blunt message rejecting the idea that people should not speak negatively about someone after death, saying that he would not follow that sentiment in this case.
Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors, died in 2025 at the age of 65. He was widely known for major film roles in Top Gun, Tombstone, and other high-profile projects, and his death drew widespread attention across the entertainment industry.
Marcus is known for directing and writing work that includes Texas Chainsaw and Secret Santa. His remarks about Kilmer have now drawn attention to the pair’s time working together and revived discussion about the actor’s reputation on set.
The post centers on a personal account from a filmmaker who says his experience with Kilmer was difficult and hostile. Marcus did not present any additional evidence in the Facebook message, but his comments were framed as a direct recollection of the production of Conspiracy.
The accusation-laden post has turned a behind-the-scenes memory into a public controversy, surfacing long after both the film and Kilmer’s life in the spotlight.
