'Top Gun' creators remember how they got Tom Cruise to sign movie
Washington DC, May 19
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer and screenwriter Jack Epps Jr. have recalled the unusual way actor Tom Cruise was convinced to star in the 1986 blockbuster 'Top Gun', according to People.
In an interview, Epps revealed that Cruise was always the first choice to play Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in the action drama directed by Tony Scott.
"I was a Tom Cruise fan at that time -- still am -- so we wrote this with Tom Cruise in mind as Maverick," Epps remembered. "I loved his movies: he's such an energetic actor, he connects with the audience." Cruise's movies at that point included 1983's The Outsiders, All the Right Moves and Risky Business, which helped cement him as a movie star, as per the outlet.
At the time, Cruise had already gained popularity with films such as The Outsiders, All the Right Moves and Risky Business.
Epps recalled handing over the script to Bruckheimer and suggesting Cruise for the lead role. "We were finishing up the script and I turned it over to Jerry Bruckheimer at the gates of Bel Air on a Saturday night. I said, 'Jerry, think Tom Cruise when you read this,' " he said.
Bruckheimer and producer Don Simpson were immediately convinced, but getting Cruise to officially sign on took more effort.
"We couldn't quite get him to commit so I arranged for him to fly with the Blue Angels in El Centro, California," Bruckheimer shared. "He had long hair and a ponytail and they saw this guy walk up and they said, 'We'll get this hippy a real ride.' "
Epps said the pilots were unaware of Cruise's identity and gave him an intense experience in the aircraft. "They do what they like to do: they took him up, they shook him around, he barfed on himself, and he came out and said, 'I love this.' "
Bruckheimer added that Cruise called him immediately after landing and said, "I'm in."
Released in 1986, 'Top Gun' went on to become the highest-grossing film of the year, earning more than USD 350 million worldwide. The film also starred Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer, Tom Skerritt and Kelly McGillis, according to People.
Its sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, released in 2022 under the direction of Joseph Kosinski and saw Cruise reprise his iconic role alongside Kilmer. The sequel also featured Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Ed Harris, Lewis Pullman and Jay Ellis.
Both 'Top Gun' films recently returned to theatres to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original movie, while Paramount Pictures has confirmed that 'Top Gun 3' is currently in development, according to People.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I grew up watching 'Top Gun' on VHS! My father was in the Indian Air Force and he loved this movie. The scene where Maverick flies inverted over the enemy jet still gives me chills. And the soundtrack... "Highway to the Danger Zone"!
Interesting how they got him to sign on. But honestly, Tom Cruise was already a rising star back then and 'Top Gun' was the perfect vehicle for him. The sequel 36 years later was equally impressive. Can't wait for 'Top Gun 3'!
The way the pilots didn't recognize him and gave him the full treatment is hilarious! "We'll get this hippy a real ride" - pure gold. This is what making movies used to be about - passion and creativity, not just CGI and corporate mandates.
Tom Cruise's commitment to authenticity is unmatched. He didn't just act in the cockpit - he actually flew those F-14s (well, mostly). The Navy saw a huge recruitment spike after this film released. That's the power of cinema! 🇮🇳
While I love the movie, I do think it glorifies military action a bit too much. But from a pure entertainment perspective, it's iconic. The barfing story just humanizes Tom Cruise - he's not just a superhero, he's a guy who got sick in a fighter jet!
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