Val Kilmer couldn't return as Madmartigan in the Disney+ Willow series primarily due to health complications from throat cancer and the insurmountable travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing him to reluctantly withdraw, though the showrunners incorporated his character significantly by using old footage and his son Jack's voice to keep him central to the story.
"We were prepping in the spring of the year that it was most happening. And Val reluctantly didn't feel he could come out." Kilmer, 62, starred in the original 1988 film as a disgraced knight who helps sorcerer Willow Ufgood (Warwick Davis) save the life of Elora Danan.
What began as professional chemistry quickly evolved into an off-screen friendship full of laughs, pranks, and late night heart to hearts. Kilmer, known for his sharp wit and magnetic screen presence, was surprisingly gentle and deeply respectful toward Davis, admiring his courage, humor, and strength in the industry.
It lost Disney so much money that they had to make it a tax write off to make some money back on it, but that also meant having to remove the show from Disney Plus.
Although Kilmer did not appear onscreen in the 2022 Willow series, Madmartigan's presence was keenly felt in the form of Kilmer's son, Jack (whose mother is Kilmer's Willow co-star, Joanne Whalley).
Charlize Theron and Tom Hardy clashed intensely during Mad Max: Fury Road's production due to clashing work styles, Hardy's frequent lateness, and differing acting approaches, leading to arguments where Theron felt unsafe and requested a female producer as a mediator, though they later acknowledged their issues and apologized, as reported in books and interviews about the film.
Ben Affleck didn't get his solo Batman movie due to a mix of creative differences, personal struggles (including alcohol addiction), and the troubled production of Justice League, which made him realize the immense pressure wasn't worth it, leading him to step away from writing and directing the film. He couldn't align his darker, grounded vision with Warner Bros.' plans for the wider DC Universe, and ultimately decided he wasn't the right person to make the film he wanted, passing the torch to Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson.
Scarlett Johansson's animosity towards Disney went out with its former CEO. Johansson infamously filed a lawsuit against the conglomerate for the day-and-date streaming release of standalone Marvel film “Black Widow” in 2021.
'Willow' Canceled After One Season On Disney+
The streamer announced in March that there would be no second season of the original series, based on the 1988 fantasy film directed by Ron Howard.
Disney+ Cancellations Jump After Kimmel Suspension. Roughly three million Americans canceled the streaming service in the month that it temporarily suspended Jimmy Kimmel's show. About 4.1 million people canceled Disney-owned Hulu.
Kilmer, who poured his soul into his portrayal of Holliday, often credited Russell as not just a co-star but a true friend who stood by him through triumphs and struggles alike. When Kilmer's health battles grew public, Russell's loyalty never wavered.
Michael Keaton left the Batman role after Batman Returns due to creative differences with director Joel Schumacher, who took over for Tim Burton in Batman Forever.
For this list, we're looking at those actors that have an infamous reputation for complaining, hostility towards other cast members, or just generally being difficult to work with for any number of reasons. Our countdown includes Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, Joan Crawford, Edward Norton, Jennifer Lopez, and more!
Kevin Spacey paid tribute to the late Val Kilmer while accepting a lifetime achievement trophy at the Septimius Awards last week, going so far as to dedicate the honor to his lifelong friend.
The idea that Seth Green left for creative reasons is a lie. Green left because he wanted to pursue a film career and Whedon even intended to keep his character around longer.
Despite persistent rumors, Peter Dinklage was not involved in the original film.
In March 2023, Disney+ canceled the series after only one season. Kasdan stated the cast had been released from their contracts due to the shifts going on at Disney but that there is hope that the series could still pick up at some point in the future.
Twins Kate and Ruth Greenfield are the only ones credited with playing baby Elora Danan in Ron Howard's 1988 fantasy adventure starring Warwick Davis and Val Kilmer, with a story by George Lucas. In fact, four girls played the infant – so what are they all up to now?
In particular, the Walt Disney Studios has been criticized for including stereotypical portrayal of non-white characters, sexism, and alleged plagiarism.
Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Reynolds were married from 2008 to 2011. She was 23 and he was 31 when they wed. Both have since then moved on, but soon following their separation, nasty rumors started spreading that Reynolds was cheating on Johansson with Lively while they were together.
Disney is being sued by animator Buck Woodall, who claims the company stole his ideas for the Moana franchise from his earlier animated project, Bucky the Surfer Boy, alleging copyright infringement for both Moana and Moana 2. Woodall seeks billions in damages, but a jury recently ruled against him in the initial Moana case, finding Disney didn't have access to his work, though a separate lawsuit for Moana 2 continues.
However, once we learned Johansson was suing Disney, it became clear the studio wanted to keep a bigger chunk of the profits for itself. Johansson rightfully sued Disney because part of her payment for starring in Black Widow was proportional to how much money the movie made at the box office.
Ben Affleck, one of Hollywood's most recognizable actors and filmmakers, has long been open about his struggle with alcohol use disorder. His journey, marked by early success, personal challenges, periods of recovery, and relapse, highlights the complicated nature of addiction and the strength it takes to seek help.
According to an insider who spoke anonymously to the publication, Damon "tried to warn" Affleck that "this could happen" if he were to reunite with Lopez. "Matt was there to help Ben get it together after their first split, and he felt like this would happen again," the source said.
Ben Affleck's biggest regret about his Batman was that what he and Zack Snyder planned was so dark even his son tuned out.