Renny Harlin Says He Repaired Tensions With Val Kilmer During ‘Mindhunters’ After a Dispute Over Eyeglasses

Renny Harlin, whose credits include action films built around elaborate stunts and tight production schedules, said he has a “hard and fast” method for earning an actor’s trust: preparation that starts before cameras roll and continues through the technical work required on set. The veteran director made the remarks during a masterclass conversation in Valletta as part of Malta’s Mediterrane Film Festival, where he discussed how his process has helped him work with high-profile performers across multiple decades.

Harlin said he prepares extensively in advance and framed his strategy as a practical investment rather than a creative gesture. “It’s all about preparation. Preparation costs nothing,” he told moderator Steven Weintraub of Collider, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Harlin described preparation as broader than scripts and storyboards, saying he studies the mechanics and physical demands his films require so he can answer questions from performers about how stunts and technical elements are done.

He added that his preparation routines have included learning the skills and systems needed to execute demanding sequences, citing examples such as mountain climbing, scuba diving, and how airplanes work, as well as aviation-related training for action work. Harlin also described the preparation effort as a way to reduce friction with actors, saying that when he arrives ready to explain the technical side, performers can ask questions and feel more comfortable.

In discussing which kinds of performers have required extra patience, Harlin said he has managed to win over “toughest” actors, including those with reputations for being challenging. He pointed to a range of major stars he has worked with, and he specifically addressed Val Kilmer, characterizing the actor as “highly intelligent” while also describing a moment during the making of “Mindhunters” in which the two clashed.

According to Harlin’s account in the conversation, his disagreement with Kilmer involved “a pair of eyeglasses.” He said he ultimately smoothed things over by shifting the dynamic from confrontation to reassurance, describing Kilmer as “quite insecure,” The Hollywood Reporter reported. The remarks were framed as part of Harlin’s broader explanation of how he reads situations on set and addresses tension before it affects production.

Harlin’s comments also tied his preparation approach to managing personalities during long and complex productions, particularly those involving physical risk and coordination. By presenting the episode with Kilmer as a case study in de-escalation, Harlin emphasized the role of preparation and communication in maintaining order and momentum during filming.

The masterclass conversation took place during the Mediterrane Film Festival in Valletta, according to the report, with Harlin speaking about both his craft and the interpersonal tactics he said he relies on when dealing with difficult circumstances on professional sets. While Harlin did not provide further public detail on the eyeglasses dispute beyond his characterization of Kilmer and the need to calm the situation, the episode was presented as an example of his working method.

The Mediterrane Film Festival appearance underscores Harlin’s continued role in public film conversations even as action filmmaking remains heavily dependent on stunt planning, safety coordination, and the cooperation of cast and crew. His remarks, including the Kilmer anecdote and his emphasis on readiness, were presented as part of how he has sustained a long career across genres and high-budget production environments.