Tom Cruise has climbed the tallest building, jumped off cliffs, and survived helicopter collisions for entertainment. But his most significant contribution to cinema is bringing back movie-going audiences thanks to the success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ But returning for a sequel wasn’t an option for Tom Cruise.
For years, he heard story pitches but wasn’t sure if the sequel was the right way to go. But the 61-old actor not returning for the sequel had political dimensions he considered before finally deciding to be on board. He didn’t want to make another ‘Top Gun’ movie that would be looked at as a recruitment tool.
Tom Cruise’s ‘Top Gun’ Was Seen As Propaganda
The 1986 film ‘Top Gun’ is said to have increased naval recruitment by up to 500%. Tom Cruise‘s “need for speed” presented a glorified view of the being navy life. Without intending to, the film became a promotion of war and the United States.
Tom Cruise was very conscientious of this fact while resisting the sequel to the film. The ‘Jerry Maguire’ star told ScreenRant about wanting to stay away from the “irresponsible “ act of making the sequel to ‘To Gun.’
Tom Cruise told the outlet, ” Some believe that Top Gun was a right- wing movie promoting the Navy. Many kids liked it. But I want kids to know that war doesn’t look like that. To Gun was just an amusement park ride, an entertaining movie with a PG-13 rating that doesn’t show reality. That’s why I didn’t want to make Top Gun 2, Top Gun 3 or 4. That would have been irresponsible.”
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Tom Cruise Agrees To Make A ‘Top Gun’ Sequel Because Of This Condition
Joseph Kosinski flew out to meet Tom Cruise about his ‘Top Gun’ sequel pitch. Realizing the film will feature Maverick and Rooster’s son’s relationship, the ‘Mission: Impossible’ star gave the project an immediate yes. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ opened to rave reviews and made a billion dollars at the box office.
The sequel marks the return of Cruise as Captain Pete “Maverick” brought back to train the new generation of fighter pilots. The film also stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer, who reprises his role as Iceman.
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