Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Tom “Iceman” Kazansky first graced the big screen 35 years ago in the late Tony Scott’s “Top Gun” Now, it’s time for them to renew their rivalry, or perhaps their relationship has evolved since then.
Tom Cruise returns to his role as the cocky U.S. navy pilot in this sequel/reboot to the 1986 film. A lot of familiar faces from the original movie are returning too, but before that, here’s the official synopsis:
After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of TOPGUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
Alongside Cruise, “Maverick” also stars Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, and Monica Barbaro. Teller plays the son of Maverick’s late best friend and fellow pilot Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, so sorry in advance, Anthony Edwards fans.
Val Kilmer reprises his role as “Iceman,” and other old faces are back too, only with new actors playing them. Jon Hamm replaces Tim Robbins as “Merlin” Wells, Ed Harris fills in for Michael Ironside as “Jester” Heatherly, and Jake Picking plays “Slider” Kruger instead of Rick Rossovich. Raymond Lee also fills in as Mike “Viper” Metcalf instead of Tom Skerrit, and given the age gap between the two actors, it’s easy to surmise Viper only appears in flashbacks. Other pilots have been replaced by new actors, too. Likewise, Lyliana Wray and Jean Louisa Kelly replace Kelly McGillis and Meg Ryan in their respective roles.
READ MORE: ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Is Headed To The Cannes Film Festival
Joseph Kosinski is behind the camera for ‘Maverick.’ He’s worked with several cast members before: Cruise on 2013’s “Oblivion” and Connelly, Teller, and Picking on 2017’s “Only The Brave.” Ehren Kruger, Erick Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie provide the screenplay. Harold Feltermeyer also returns to update his iconic score to the original film.
Production on “Maverick” wrapped back in early 2019 after shooting in Maryland, California, Washington, and several Naval Air Stations around the U.S.
After several shuffled release dates thanks to COVID-19, Tom Cruise and company aim to fly the skies again when “Top Gun: Maverick” hits theaters on May 27, 2022. It will make its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival a few days before. Watch the new trailer below.
