Val Kilmer told NY Post columnist Cindy Adams that he’s considering running for governor of his state of New Mexico and claimed that he’s been hand picked by current governor Bill Richardson to replace him. Richardson has been the governor of New Mexico since 2003, and hopes to become secretary of state in Obama’s cabinet. At first I thought that Kilmer was overstating Richardson’s endorsement of his candidacy, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. At least he’s realistic about it and says that he knows he’s not qualified.

“There’s sort of a rumor around that I’m maybe thinking about running to be governor of New Mexico? Well, it’s sort of true. It’s been my home 25 years. I really love my state. Poor, hardworking, decent people - Native Americans, carpenters, artists, expats mixed in with hundreds of the world’s smartest physicists at Los Alamos. I’ve always thought of myself as functioning as a candidate for them.

“The media interests me and it’s influenced politicians since the ’60s, and I’m approaching this as a worthy serious endeavor. I would be very comfortable in my position as a representative for the people.”

Val Kilmer? Who was the lead in “Batman Forever”? Moses in “The Prince of Egypt”? Druggy rocker Jim Morrison in “The Doors”? Ladykiller Val Kilmer? Governor of New Mexico?

“People in the state are being supportive. Our current governor, Bill Richardson, who’s hoping to be picked as secretary of state, and whom I’ve seen down in the dirt helping people you know could never help him in return, and whom I love, had a dinner for me and said not to dismiss the idea. Said I could be a great governor…

“After I wrap this film, I’m off to LA to see my kids then home to New Mexico to talk to friends and see what they say. I know I’m not yet qualified for the job. It’s not like I need fame. If that’s what it’s all about, I wouldn’t live in New Mexico. But I don’t want to be a train wreck. I have to see if people will put up the money for my run. I have to think about putting my acting on hold. Being famous as a movie actor is one thing, but they take no prisoners in politics. I have to think what this might do to my kids.

“Or to anybody. I plan to sit down with Arnold Schwarzenegger. Like I had dinner with Jane Fonda years ago and said even though I’m against war and didn’t vote for Bush, I would support anyone who becomes president because I couldn’t let any single person ruin my definition of America. She never invited me back. That’s a bitch because I really liked her.”

[From NY Post's Cindy Adams via Huffington Post]

This could very well be true and not just wishful thinking by Kilmer. Governor Richardson is quoted as saying in September that “I like the idea [of Kilmer running]. Val Kilmer is a New Mexican, he was Batman. You know there have been successful actors going into politics. I haven’t talked to him about it, I don’t know how serious he is, but you know if he jumps in a race he’s got name ID, so it can’t be discounted.”

Kilmer has a reputation of being surly and offbeat in interviews, and he’s a Christian Scientist. Followers of Christian Science do not go to doctors or use conventional medicine. They’re advised to seek out the help of other members when they’re sick who will “help people through the false reality of illness.” There have been many deaths of Christian Scientists and their children who were denied or otherwise refused medical treatment in times of crisis. (Update: former member Noelle below says it’s not as strict with medical denial and that members may seek medical assistance. There are several high profile cases involving deaths of members and their children who could have been saved with medical treatment however.)

Should a guy who doesn’t believe in modern medicine or the scientific method be running the government of an entire state?

At first I was suspicious that Richardson might be a closet Christian Scientist, which could explain his friendship with Kilmer. His biography states that he’s Roman Catholic, though. I did find one site that once listed him as a Christian Scientist, but his name is only up in search results and when you view the source of the site, and has since been removed. Maybe he just genuinely likes Kilmer and thinks he’s a good man for the job.

We may know why Val Kilmer is so buddy-buddy with Cindy Adams at least - she’s also a Christian Scientist.

Kilmer, 48, is currently in Bulgaria working on a film he describes as heavily influenced by the Hitchcock classic North by Northwest.

Val Kilmer is shown on 6/7/08. Credit: PRPhotos.

50 Cent and I clearly have a different definition of friendship. And I think I like his a hell of a lot more than mine. While I always thought it meant being there for the other person in good times and bad, occasionally drinking too much with them, complaining about men together, and having the occasional naked pillow fight, 50’s idea of friendship involves lavish vintage gifts. And I think that makes a hell of a lot more sense.

50 Cent knows how to treat his costars. Not content to drop off a basket of sugar-free muffins with a note saying “You were totally in the moment,” the rapper-thespian gave his Streets of Fire costar Val Kilmer a car, according to In Touch Weekly.

And not some tax-write-off clunker, either.

Fiddy bestowed on Kilmer a 1965 Chevy Impala said to be worth $100,000. The two, who play police officers dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, bonded over their appreciation of classic vehicles, which led the rapper to give one of his very own autos to Kilmer.

Really? “Yes he did,” Fiddy’s rep told us. No word on Kilmer’s thank-you plans, but you can be sure of this: Muffins just ain’t gonna cut it.

[From E! News]

Sounds like the start of a bromance to me. And what a way to kick it off. At first I thought 50 might have some kind of non-sexual crush on Val Kilmer, a la that famous Seinfeld episode. But then I saw a picture of Val Kilmer, and… I have a policy of never making fun of someone’s weight. But let’s just say that if there were ever a time I would consider breaking that rule, it’d be right now. So I’m pretty sure there’s no crush going on here. But I think that explains E!’s joke about the sugar free muffins.

Either way, I think it’s very important that I star in a film with 50 Cent. I’d just like a Honda, thanks.

Header of 50 Cent performing live in Sydney on April 23rd and Val Kilmer leaving Sushiya restaurant in L.A. on March 5th. Images thanks to WENN.