Val Kilmer

Val Kilmer set to make return in Top Gun: Maverick

He will star alongside Tom Cruise in the film, 33 years after the original was released, US media reported.

Filming for Top Gun: Maverick started at the end of May. It is being directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also directed the Tron sequel in 2010.

Kilmer appeared to confirm last year that he had cancer, and that he was "healing".

Cruise posted a photo on Twitter last week, referring to the first day of returning to the role of United States Naval Aviator Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.

Val Kilmer makes cancer admission

While answering questions put to him by Reddit users, the actor revealed he "did have a healing of cancer" and was still dealing with a swollen tongue.

"Because I don't sound my normal self yet people think I may still be under the weather," the 57-year-old wrote.

Speculation over Kilmer's health grew last year after Michael Douglas said he was "dealing with" throat cancer.

The former Batman actor responded at the time by saying Douglas was "misinformed".