In 2022, the long-awaited sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick' quickly became a smash hit, and even a critical darling, earning accolades like a Best Picture nomination from the Academy Awards. As of January 2024, there are reports that Paramount is working on a third installment of the beloved franchise. Ehren Kruger, the co-writer of 'Top Gun: Maverick,' is already working on a script, and it's rumored that director Joe Kosinski will also be back at the helm. They reportedly intend to reunite Tom Cruise with the new generation of stars that appeared in the sequel, including Miles Teller and Glen Powell. Paramount has yet to comment and it's likely that third movie will be in development for a while. 'Maverick' took several years to make, and Cruise is likely to be busy working on the eighth 'Mission: Impossible' until 2025.

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"The need for fees" -

At the real Top Gun School, staff members can be fined US$5 for quoting the movie.

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Improv skills - In one scene in the hangar, Ice Man (played by Val Kilmer) coughs "bull[expletive]" and makes his peers laugh. This was ad-libbed, and the reactions are genuine.

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Career hit for Kilmer - Kilmer actually didn't want to star in 'Top Gun,' but was forced to due to contractual obligations. It's become one of his biggest roles.

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Tough cookie - Anthony Edwards was reportedly the only actor who wasn't sick after flying in the fighter jets.

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Charlie and Pete - At one point, Charlie has an "older man" date. He is based on Pete Pettigrew, a retired Top Gun instructor who was the film's technical consultant.

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New recruits - The U.S. Navy installed recruiting booths in major cinemas, and had the highest application rate in years.

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Firepower - The U.S. Navy set up two missile shots to be used in the movie. The shots were filmed from many different angles, so they could be used at various points in the film.

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True romance - In one scene, Charlie tells Maverick that she didn't want anyone to know she was falling for him. Tom Cruise forgot his line, so he kissed her character instead. This was ad-libbed, and used in the final cut.

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New heights - Tom Cruise reportedly wore lifts to match the height of Kelly McGillis.

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Charlie's inspiration - Kelly McGillis is based on Christine Fox, a flight instructor who rose through the ranks of the Pentagon.

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From the skies to space - At one point, a F-14 pilot named Scott Altman puts the middle finger up to a MiG pilot. Altman went on to become a NASA astronaut who piloted two missions.

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Scott Altman - Scott Altman actually performed Maverick's stunts during filming.

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Evan? - Maverick's real name was originally Evan in an early script for 'Top Gun.' It was changed to Pete, named after Pete Pettigrew.

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Art Scholl R.I.P. -

During the production, stunt pilot Art Scholl was killed, aged 54. After completing a flat spin, his camera plane plummeted into the Pacific Ocean. "I have a problem - I have a real problem," were his last words.

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Buzzing the tower -

Navy pilots drew straws to see who would "buzz the tower." Lieutenant Bozo got to do it, and flew so low that Michael Ironside (pictured) saw the plane's cockpit.

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Backseat ride - Actors who played F-14 crew got the chance to ride backseat in the planes.

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Special request - Grumman, the company that produces the F-14, was asked by Paramount to install special cameras into the planes.

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Test ride - Tom Cruise apparently shrugged the film off at first, but Jerry Bruckheimer convinced the actor to ride along with the Navy. After spinning around in the sky, Cruise said: "I'm in. I'm doing the movie. I love it. This is great."

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Cruise control - Cruise joined Lieutenant Bozo the first time he rode in an F-14. The pilot flew Cruise around, who was feeling mightily sick. "They don't call me 'Bozo' for nothing," the Lieutenant said.

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In character -

Maverick and Iceman had real tension. Apparently, Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer refused to socialize and spent their time apart while on set.

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Lived experience - At the graduation ceremony, a mustached Top Gun instructor named Heater can be seen behind Maverick.

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In character -

It's said that Tom Cruise kept to himself during filming, so that he could stay in character.

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Professional advisor - Admiral Robert Willard is the pilot who gets "flipped off" by Maverick and Goose. He was actually the lead flight choreographer for the film.

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'Top Gun 2' origins - A script for 'Top Gun 2' was actually completed shortly after the film was released. However, Tom Cruise reportedly didn't want a sequel, and other problems stalled the project. Eventually, however, 'Top Gun: Maverick' came to be.

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Goose's real name -

Only superfans know Goose's real name: Nick Bradshaw. You can see his name on a flight patch on top of his dresser.

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Spoilers ahead! - Watch out: the following facts contain spoilers. In one original cut, Maverick pays tribute at Goose's grave. The version was never released.

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Deleted scenes -

Originally, Goose would have died in a fiery crash atop an aircraft carrier. However, the U.S. Navy stepped in and objected, and the death scene was changed.

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Pentagon approval - The Pentagon had an important role in the production. They reportedly wanted the Navy portrayed in a positive light, and didn't want Goose's death scene to reflect badly on standard military practice.

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Tony Scott R.I.P. -

Reportedly, director Tony Scott started working on 'Top Gun 2' back in 2012. Sadly, he took his own life a day before meeting up with Tom Cruise.

Also revisit the 30 most essential cult films of all time

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NL Beeld/Getty Images

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'Top Gun' 3? -

NL Beeld

1 / 31 Fotos

"The need for fees" -

At the real Top Gun School, staff members can be fined US$5 for quoting the movie.

Public Domain

2 / 31 Fotos

Improv skills - In one scene in the hangar, Ice Man (played by Val Kilmer) coughs "bull[expletive]" and makes his peers laugh. This was ad-libbed, and the reactions are genuine.

3 / 31 Fotos

Career hit for Kilmer - Kilmer actually didn't want to star in 'Top Gun,' but was forced to due to contractual obligations. It's become one of his biggest roles.

4 / 31 Fotos

Tough cookie - Anthony Edwards was reportedly the only actor who wasn't sick after flying in the fighter jets.

5 / 31 Fotos

Charlie and Pete - At one point, Charlie has an "older man" date. He is based on Pete Pettigrew, a retired Top Gun instructor who was the film's technical consultant.

6 / 31 Fotos

New recruits - The U.S. Navy installed recruiting booths in major cinemas, and had the highest application rate in years.

7 / 31 Fotos

Firepower - The U.S. Navy set up two missile shots to be used in the movie. The shots were filmed from many different angles, so they could be used at various points in the film.

8 / 31 Fotos

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New heights - Tom Cruise reportedly wore lifts to match the height of Kelly McGillis.

10 / 31 Fotos

Charlie's inspiration - Kelly McGillis is based on Christine Fox, a flight instructor who rose through the ranks of the Pentagon.

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From the skies to space - At one point, a F-14 pilot named Scott Altman puts the middle finger up to a MiG pilot. Altman went on to become a NASA astronaut who piloted two missions.

12 / 31 Fotos

Scott Altman - Scott Altman actually performed Maverick's stunts during filming.

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Evan? - Maverick's real name was originally Evan in an early script for 'Top Gun.' It was changed to Pete, named after Pete Pettigrew.

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Art Scholl R.I.P. -

Getty Images

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Buzzing the tower -

Navy pilots drew straws to see who would "buzz the tower." Lieutenant Bozo got to do it, and flew so low that Michael Ironside (pictured) saw the plane's cockpit.

Getty Images

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Backseat ride - Actors who played F-14 crew got the chance to ride backseat in the planes.

17 / 31 Fotos

Special request - Grumman, the company that produces the F-14, was asked by Paramount to install special cameras into the planes.

18 / 31 Fotos

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In character -

Maverick and Iceman had real tension. Apparently, Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer refused to socialize and spent their time apart while on set.

Getty Images

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Lived experience - At the graduation ceremony, a mustached Top Gun instructor named Heater can be seen behind Maverick.

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In character -

It's said that Tom Cruise kept to himself during filming, so that he could stay in character.

Getty Images

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Professional advisor - Admiral Robert Willard is the pilot who gets "flipped off" by Maverick and Goose. He was actually the lead flight choreographer for the film.

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Goose's real name -

Only superfans know Goose's real name: Nick Bradshaw. You can see his name on a flight patch on top of his dresser.

Getty Images

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Spoilers ahead! - Watch out: the following facts contain spoilers. In one original cut, Maverick pays tribute at Goose's grave. The version was never released.

27 / 31 Fotos

Deleted scenes -

Originally, Goose would have died in a fiery crash atop an aircraft carrier. However, the U.S. Navy stepped in and objected, and the death scene was changed.

Getty Images

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Tony Scott R.I.P. -

Reportedly, director Tony Scott started working on 'Top Gun 2' back in 2012. Sadly, he took his own life a day before meeting up with Tom Cruise.

Also revisit the 30 most essential cult films of all time

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Fast facts about 'Top Gun'

A third 'Top Gun' movie is in the works at Paramount!

13/05/24 | StarsInsider

MOVIES Films

It's been over 35 years since the original 'Top Gun' first flew into theaters, with iconic characters, quotes, stunts, and songs. While you're waiting for Maverick and the crew to hit the big screen again, why not take a look back on the '80s classic? Find out everything there is to know about the hit flick with these fast facts and interesting trivia. Click on!