Top Gun: Navy barred Tom Cruise from flying real F-18 combat jet for sequel, producer says
Cruise still got to fly some fancy aircraft for the sequel
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Tom Cruise was barred by the Navy from flying an actual F-18 combat jet for the Top Gun sequel, according to one of the film’s producers.
Jerry Bruckheimer, who co-produced the original Top Gun, spoke to Empire about the upcoming film.
According to Bruckheimer, Cruise wanted to make sure the actors “could actually be in the F-18s” while filming the sequel – but having him fly one himself was apparently a no-go.
“The Navy wouldn’t let him fly an F-18,” Bruckheimer told the publication.
“But he flies a P-51 in the movie, and he flies helicopters. He can do just about anything in an airplane.”
In the end, Cruise and some of his castmates shot scenes inside the aircraft while skilled pilots took care of the actual flying.
Bruckheimer says the movie will enable viewers to “experience what it’s like to be in an F-18, in that cockpit with those pilots”.
Top Gun: Maverick is still scheduled for release on 24 June in the US and 17 July in the UK, though the coronavirus pandemic has delayed many of the year’s planned releases.
Cruise will return as the titular Maverick, 34 years after the character was first introduced to viewers.
Miles Teller will star as Gooses’ son, along with Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, and more.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments