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Top Gun: Maverickhas been a generational eye-opener for the fans and critics, new and old. The Tom Cruise sequel that arrived 36 years down the line was not just an emotional experience for the audience but a thrilling one that allowed them to revisit their memories of watching Maverick, Iceman & Co. finding their way back to each other once more.
![Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick [Credit Paramount Pictures]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10082300/Tom-Cruise-and-Joseph-Kosinski-on-set-1-1024x577.jpg)
While there was much thought put into the making of the 2022 film, there wasn’t anything left to discuss once Tom Cruise had Paramount green-light the film from hisMission: Impossibleset. The story was clear and director Joseph Kosinski had already mapped out the blueprint. The emotional core of the film would stay intact via the characters and the action would elevate the rest of the theatrical experience into an epic one.
Looking back, not only didTop Gun: Maverickhelp revive the theatrical distribution system (in Steven Spielberg’s words) but also reminded the fans why films exist in the first place – to thrill and entertain.
![Tom Cruise as Maverick in Top Gun [Credit Paramount Pictures]](https://i2.wp.com/fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/10082329/Tom-Cruise-in-Top-Gun-Credit-Paramount-Pictures-1-1.jpg)
Tom Cruise Foregoes His Maverick Days inTop Gun 2
WhileTom Cruisedid find himself back in the pilot’s chair and nearly broke the stratosphere with his Mach-10 record, the audience held their breaths and looked on in bewildered awe at the actor who could defy death and perform stunts that were only possible in… well, movies.
However, even Tom Cruise had to grow and age and adapt to the current times. The Maverick that was defiant in the face of order and obedience in the original film was more mature and emotionally centered in the sequel. His wild days were not entirely behind him, although Cruise did embellish his character with a more familial touch that craved love and stability.
As such, while fans would swoon watching Maverick and Charlie’s steamy scene in the 1986 film,Joseph Kosinski‘s sequel entirely foregoes that treatment to give Cruise’s character a more poignant arc where conversations took priority over Berlin’sTake My Breath Away.According to Kosinski:
The relationship between Maverick and Charlie is obviously a very different one. We’re now with someone at a different point of Maverick’s life. The relationship between Maverick and Penny is much deeper than a purely physical one. She’s a really important emotional counterpoint for Maverick in this film. This felt like the right way to tell our story.
“That’s great. I need the screenplay in 2 weeks”: Before Tom Cruise’s Top Gun 2, Christopher McQuarrie’s Greatest Stroke of Genius Was Delivering One of the Best Scripts That Landed Him an Oscar
The original film which featured Kelly McGillis in the role of Maverick’s romantic interest was replaced byJennifer ConnellyinTop Gun: Maverick. In 2019, McGillis who portrayed Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood said in an interview withEntertainment Tonight:“I’m old and I’m fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about.”
The actress was not asked to return for the sequel and claimed she would not have agreed even if the studio had offered.
Joseph Kosinski’s Unique Arc forTop Gun: Maverick
With experience directing Tom Cruise in the moderately well-receivedOblivion, Joseph Kosinski arrived on the scene to tackle a legacy picture left behind by the late Tony Scott.Top Gunwas a brand that did not deserve to be exploited for a profitable cash grab at the box office but Kosinski was confident in his vision. After a 30-minute elevator pitch, Cruise agreed too.
Primarily, the sequel did not seek to glorify the past or revisit the glory days of Maverick, Goose, and Iceman.Top Gun: Maverickwas one last hurrah for the characters whose journey has now come to an end but are finding it difficult to let go.
“It’s a great honor”: Top Gun 2 Star Lewis Pullman on Playing THAT Bob in Thunderbolts* After Flying With Tom Cruise
The sequel was a closure to a 36-year-long dream that kept the fans alive on dreams of fighter jets, sound-barrier-breaking missions, love, camaraderie, and found family. WithTop Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise made sure to pass on the mantle to the next generation of heroes asMiles Teller,Glen Powell, and Monica Barbaro took centerstage in the epic story 36 years in the making.
Top Gun: Maverickis now available to buy/rent on Prime Video and Apple TV.
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2410
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
