Top Gun: Maverick producer Jerry Bruckheimer says it was an 'emotional day' filming with Val Kilmer

The 62-year-old actor - who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2015

famous for playing the calm,

cool rival to Tom Cruise's Maverick in the original 1986 film.

However, when the actor admitted in a 2013 interview will Larry King

that he had not been approached about appearing in a proposed Top Gun sequel,

Tom Cruise, 59, reportedly rallied the troops to ensure his buddy was included.

In an interview with People, producer Jerry Bruckheimer declared,

Tom said he wasn't going to make the movie without him.'

As such, once the final script was approved,