Kurt Russell was not only a driving force behind Tombstone becoming 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. The true story tale of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday wasn’t an original idea for a movie, but Tombstone’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 of Tombstone, the movie may have never been released without Russell. After the original director was fired from Tombstone, Russell heavily worked with George P. Cosmatos to get the project back on track. In fact, Russell essentially served as a director on Tombstone. 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.
Kurt Russell Gave Val Kilmer A Burial Plot After Filming Tombstone
Kilmer Gifted Russell Something Just As Special
In the years since Tombstone was 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 with GQ, 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 that Kilmer gave Russell an acre of land that overlooks Boothill, something he decided on before receiving Russell’s Tombstone gift.
the gifts shared between him and Russell are even more perfect when looking back at the relationship between Wyatt and Doc
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Boothill, of course, is the famous graveyard featured in Tombstone, 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 the Tombstone characters but also proved how well Russell and Kilmer understood the characters.
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 are not the only noteworthy behind-the-scenes tidbits to come out of Tombstone. 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 explain why Doc Holliday was sweating so much in Tombstone beyond the character’s illness.
Val Kilmer, in particular, truly embraced his role as Doc. Aside from Kilmer learning piano for Tombstone’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 making Tombstone one of the most beloved Westerns in history.