How Sylvester Stallone Saved Val Kilmer’s Movie From Imminent Disaster After Kevin Costner Leaving the Movie Started a Domino Effect

Val Kilmer’s Tombstone was saved because of one suggestion from Sylvester Stallone after Kevin Costner nearly destroyed the project.

Tombstone is one of the best films in Val Kilmer’s career with the 1993 Western film proving to be a major commercial success.

However, the film faced a long and hard road to production after actor Kevin Costner who was originally approached for the role of Wyatt Earp not only turned it down but also developed a separate project centered on the character.

Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer starred in Tombstone (Credit: Buena Vista).

Given Costner’s experience and established status in the Western genre Kilmer’s iteration was doomed the moment Costner decided to pursue a rival project.

However, the film was saved with the help of actor Sylvester Stallone who had a key role in its production despite not appearing.

Here is how Stallone saved Kilmer’s Tombstone.

Sylvester Stallone Saved Val Kilmer’s Tombstone After Kevin Costner Drama

Actor Val Kilmer is known for his performances in movies like Tom Gun and Willow.

He is arguably best known for playing the Dark Knight in Joel Schumacher’s Batman Forever.

However, before his Batman fame, Kilmer starred in the 1993 Western drama film Tombstone.

Sylvester Stallone recommended Rambo 2 director for Tombstone (Credit: Tri-Star Pictures).

In the film, Kilmer played Doc Holliday, with actor Kevin Costner initially approached to portray the primary protagonist Wyatt Earp.

However, Costner ended up exiting the project over creative differences.

Instead, the actor opted to develop another film about the legendary lawman.

Kurt Russell replaced Costner with the former directing the movie while George P.

Cosmatos retained the directorial credit.

In an interview with True West magazine, Russell revealed that Sylvester Stallone recommended the director to him.

I got him from Sly Stallone—called up Sly, said I need a guy.

Sly did the same thing with Rambo 2 with George.

And I said to George, ‘While you’re alive George, I won’t say a goddamn thing.’

Russell made the above statement, explaining how he and Cosmatos shared certain responsibilities, and thanked Stallone for recommending the director.

The actor stated that every night he would hand over a shot list to Cosmatos to avoid any arguments during the filming.

Russell also stated that after the original director was fired, the studio asked him to take over the project because of his Hollywood stature.

The actor agreed on the condition that he would direct the movie but not have himself credited as the director.

Kurt Russell Discussed Kevin Costner’s Involvement With Tombstone

During the same interview, Russell also talked about the project when Costner was involved with it and the implications that followed after his exit.

The actor revealed that Costner opted to feature in a rival project directed by Lawrence Kasdan over this version of the story.

Kevin Costner’s Wyatt Earp flopped at the box office (Credit: Warner Bros).

Following Costner’s exit, he learned of the script and liked it enough to have finances raised to get production moving.

However, shortly before Kilmer was finalized for his role in the movie, Russell learned that Costner had used his clout in the industry to stop Tombstone from securing distribution.

He was powerful enough at the time, which I always respected.

I thought it was good hardball.

Russell made the above statement regarding Costner creating problems for his movie but implied that he did not have any hard feelings towards the actor who is a veteran of the Western genre.

Ultimately, Tombstone was released in theaters in December 1993, a few months ahead of Costner’s Wyatt Earp.

Made on a modest budget of $25 million, it grossed $73.2 million, emerging as a commercial success.

On the other hand, Wyatt Earp bombed at the box office.

Tombstone is streaming on Hulu.