Tom Cruise has earned legendary status with action classics like “Top Gun” and “Mission: Impossible.” But did you know that he almost didn't play the role of Maverick? More interesting facts can be found here!
Maverick is finally back! The “Top Gun” sequel was a huge success in the cinema! (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
When you think of “Top Gun,” you inevitably think of Tom Cruise. Today he is known for his impressive physical displays in action-packed films, but that wasn't always the case.
In the 80s, hardly anyone could mention the name Tom Cruise or the character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Thanks to director Tony Scott, we haven't forgotten them since 1986. With breathtaking action scenes, unforgettable sayings and a soundtrack that still resonates in our ears even after three decades, “Top Gun” continues to delight a huge fan base.
When the announcement for “Top Gun: Maverick” came, fans excitedly fished out their old bomber jackets. And now they’re even working on “Top Gun 3”!
But did she know that Tom Cruise first had to be convinced to appear in the first “Top Gun”? Or that some scenes were only shot after filming was completed? If these secrets surprise you, here are 15 fascinating facts about Top Gun that you may not have known before.
Val Kilmer hesitated The antipathy between Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer is not fiction; the two actors are probably never completely warm to each other. (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
Maverick's (Tom Cruise) greatest adversary, Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, was played by Val Kilmer and who could have done it better? But the actor didn't choose the role. Due to a contractual obligation with the studio, Kilmer had to appear in Top Gun.
The actor is now known for portraying real people, including celebrities such as Jim Morrison (“The Doors”) and Elvis Presley (“True Romance”). However, Iceman is still one of the most iconic roles of his career. In “Top Gun: Maverick” there is a reunion with Kilmer.
Maverick's first flight Tom Cruise is behind the wheel in the new “Top Gun: Maverick” trailer. (Source: TMDB.com)
Tom Cruise was also initially skeptical when he first heard Tony Scott's vision for the film. Jerry Bruckheimer reported that the actor was invited on a trip with the Navy. During this he experienced a g-force of up to 5 g and took part in daring flight maneuvers that would tax even the strongest stomach, but Cruise's enthusiasm was awakened.
Each of the “Top Gun” pilots was allowed to go on test flights with the Navy to get a better feel for it. Anthony Edwards, who played Goose, was said to be the only one who didn't vomit on one of these flights.
A big deal “Top Gun” isn’t the only film that plays with size. (Source: Screenshot Netflix/Paramount)
It's probably no secret that Tom Cruise isn't one of the giants in Hollywood. Over the years it's been made fun of behind the camera, but it's hardly noticeable in front of the camera. Because the film industry offers a whole arsenal of tricks, from clever camera angles to platform shoes and trenches.
Tom Cruise is about three inches shorter than Kelly McGillis, which really bothered Paramount (for some reason). To compensate for their height, Cruise wore special cowboy boots that gave him a small height boost, while McGillis wore no shoes at all during her scenes. In the final bar scene they even stand in a ditch to appear smaller.
The Charlie Files The role of Charlie (Kelly McGill) was initially thought of as completely different, but then Catherine Fox came along. (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood (Kelly McGillis) is based on a real civilian flight instructor. Top Gun producers had other plans for her character before meeting Catherine Fox. The real Charlie is a mathematician and was known for her loud clicking high heels, which warned everyone that she was coming. Fox retired in 2014 as deputy defense secretary, the highest position ever held by a woman in the Defense Department.
Late love and covered hair Top Gun (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
In the few moments Maverick isn't in the air, he's pining after Charlie in “Top Gun.” However, the love scene between Charlie and Maverick was filmed after production had already officially wrapped.
You may have noticed that in the elevator scene, as well as in the silhouetted love scene, you can't really see McGilli's hair. These were already dyed dark for their next project and Cruise's hair is longer than in the rest of the film.
Money doesn't fall from the sky In “Top Gun 2: Maverick” Tom Cruise takes off again after almost 30 years. (Source: Paramount Pictures Germany)
All iconic flight scenes were realized with the support of the US Navy, but ate heavily into the original budget for “Top Gun”. Paramount paid exorbitant amounts of money for gas on the planes when they were operating off-duty. To get the perfect shot of the aircraft carrier, director Tony Scott had to write a check for the equivalent of over 20,000 euros.
The rockets were also so expensive that they could only be fired twice and the recording had to last for the entire film. These unplanned and excessive expenses and overtime cost Tony Scott his job not once, but three times.
Music in the cockpit The soundtrack from “Top Gun” accompanies the pilots through the air and on the ground. (Source: Screenshot Netflix/Paramount)
Some of the most iconic music of the '80s appears on the Top Gun soundtrack. From “Danger Zone” to “Take My Breath Away”, one hit follows the next and quickly steals the show from the Tomcat. Bryan Adams and Toto were originally also in the running, but the former thought the film was too glorifying of war and the latter had problems with the contract. So the title song ended up with Kenny Loggins and Berlin even won an Oscar for her first unknown song.
The birth of Maverick Top Gun: The studio's initial notes criticized there being too much “flying.” (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
Tony Scott's cult film was inspired by a magazine article. A portrait of the fighter pilots at the Naval Air Force base in Miramar, San Diego, appeared in California magazine in 1983 under the title “Top Guns”. Paramount later pitched the film to Scott as “Star Wars on Earth.”
Recruitment for the Navy “Top Gun” was produced in close collaboration with the United States Navy and the United States Department of Defense. (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
Producer John Davis claims that “Top Gun” is actually a US Navy recruiting video. So the less fun aspects of a career as a fighter pilot for a country constantly embroiled in war were omitted. Cougar's death was supposed to have occurred in a crash while approaching the aircraft carrier, but the Navy didn't want to generate negative attention.
The success of the film at least prompted the Navy to recruit enthusiastic viewers immediately after the screening in selected cinemas. The application rate is said to have increased significantly in 1986. Suddenly everyone wanted to become a pilot.
“Top Gun” ban on Top Gun How many “Top Gun” fans actually made it to the real Top Gun school? (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
Prospective pilots who go straight from the cinema to the airport have to be careful. In the real Top Gun school, quotes from the cult film are prohibited. If you can't hold back, you have to pay five US dollars for every slip-up. Which quote would be worth the punishment to you?
Not without my Aviator! “Top Gun” largely consists of stylishly worn bomber jackets and iconic sunglasses. (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
Maverick's retro-looking sunglasses have been in fashion ever since they were introduced in 1937. From 1986 onwards there was a regular storm on the Ray-Ban Aviator, with sales increasing by a whopping 40 percent after the “Top Gun” premiere. To this day, you can still see the sunglasses sitting on many a nose every summer.
My name is Goose Goose is always on the Mavericks' side on Top Gun. (Source: tmdb.org/Paramount)
In some circles, titles are considered de rigueur. So everyone in the “Top Gun” group has a cool code name and the complete code names sometimes remain a mystery until the credits. Did you know that Goose's full name is Nick Bradshaw? His full name is never mentioned in the film.
In memory of an art school The late Art Scholl is remembered in the end credits of “Top Gun.” (Source: Screenshot Netflix/Paramount)
Stunt pilot Art Scholl was killed during production of Top Gun. The 54-year-old pilot died when his Pitts S-2 camera plane failed to recover from a shallow spin and crashed into the Pacific Ocean. Scholl's last words over the radio were: “I have a problem – I have a real problem”. The exact cause of the crash was never determined and neither the aircraft nor Scholl's body were ever recovered. The film is dedicated to him.
The real viper In Top Gun, Viper is played by Tom Skerritt. (Source: Screenshot Netflix/Paramount)
Charlie's date in the officers' club is the real “Viper”: Pete Pettigrew. He is a retired Marine pilot, Vietnam veteran and Top Gun instructor, as well as the namesake of Maverick. He served as a technical advisor for the film during production.
Smile, please! A little more than ten years after “Top Gun,” Altman landed in space for the first time. (Source: Screenshot Netflix/Paramount)
All of Maverick's stunt flights and many other flights in Top Gun were performed by Scott Altman. He is also the F-14 pilot who gave the middle finger to the MiG pilot. Altman eventually became a NASA astronaut, flying as a pilot on two missions and two more as commander.
On Paramount+ you can not only watch all the previous “Top Gun” films, but also admire lead actor Tom Cruise in his role as Agent Ethan Hunt in the “Mission Impossible” series on the streaming service. To stay up to date, it's worth taking a look at our new releases at Paramount+.
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