One of the best action movies of all time is ‘Top Gun’. This 1986 classic has again become quite a rage with the release of its sequel Top Gun: Maverick. The Tom Cruise-starrer has tons of memorable scenes. However, one sequence is especially famous: the iconic and oiled-up volleyball game between the hunky pilots. But, it was this unforgettable moment in the film that almost cost the Top Gun director, Tony Scott, his job.
Why ‘Top Gun’ Director Was Going To Get Fired For The Volleyball Scene
For those who don’t remember, there is a scene where we see Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer’s characters face off against one another in a lengthy volleyball scene. While the two (shirtless) whack the ball to one another, Kenny Loggins’ ‘Playing With The Boys’ blasts in the background.
Top Gun editors Chris Lebenzon and Billy Weber opened up in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and revealed that the studio wasn’t too pleased with Scott’s choice to include the moment that resembled a commercial.
“That scene was scripted as a real game,” Lebenzon explained. “Remember they kept score and everything, and Tony shot it like a commercial, and they were angry.”
“The studio was so pissed off,” Weber continued. “The head of the production, Charlie McGuire. He said, ‘I’m gonna fire him.’ Meaning Tony, because he spent a whole day shooting this scene. And then, of course, it turns out it’s one of the most famous scenes in the movie.”
‘Top Gun: Maverick‘ Pays Homage To The Iconic Scene
Lebenzon then went on to explain what the volleyball scene was like to work with in the post-production phase. It also proved to be a new experience in his career. “We didn’t expect it,” he said. “And it was interesting to edit. I had never done a commercial before, or a music video. And that was Tony’s forte.”
Thankfully Scott wasn’t fired, and the beach volleyball scene wasn’t cut. A homage was even created for it in the recently released sequel. In the brand new film, Tom Cruise is seen organizing a game of dogfight football.
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