How Old Was Tom Cruise In 'Top Gun'?
It’s been over 30 years since Top Gun first debuted. It’s been a long wait for the sequel, but the wait is over. Cruise, starring as Maverick will grace the screens again.
In 1986, Tom Cruise, at the age of 23 played Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a dare-devil naval aviator. This Oscar-winning film, directed by Tony Scott skyrocketed Tom Cruise’s career. The young actor was on his way to superstardom and wide-spread recognition.
Years later and Cruise, known for his action-adventure films, is one of the richest actors in the world, but has he still got what it takes to bring the dare-devil charm of Maverick?
Tom Cruise’s Dedication to Stunts
Cruise is renowned for taking on bold stunts and delivering a real, action-packed experience for viewers.
In a 2018 interview, Cruise said: ‘when I go to make a film. I’m employing every part of me, every skill as a filmmaker – the physicality, the artistry…’
Cruise has already proved his commitment to creating an action-packed film. He does indeed employ every part of him. During the filming of Mission Impossible – Fall Out, he famously broke his ankle on set and finished the scene.
The broken ankle was described by Simon Pegg as a ‘relief’, which you might understand if you watch the video below.
Stunt coordinator, Wade Eastwood, and aerial coordinator, Marc Wolff remember losing track of Cruise when he was in the middle of yet another extreme stunt on the same film.
Cruise is not the young man of 23 anymore, which leaves many asking: how does he do it?
How Does Tom Cruise Stay in Shape?
Well, Tom Cruise is no stranger to sports. He’s been quoted saying that he enjoys “Sea-kayaking, caving, fencing, treadmill, weights, rock-climbing, [and] hiking”.
He also travels with a gym, which means that he can workout on the go.
As well as his disciplined exercise habits, when Cruise is training he eats healthily and avoids sugars.
He admits to having a sweet-tooth but manages this with a simple trick…
To get through his sugarless diet, Cruise sends cakes to his co-stars and waits for them to call, so he can hear their feedback.
With his dedication to keeping in shape and with so many different sports under his belt, it’s not surprising to hear that, true to his reputation, Cruise will be performing his own stunts in Top Gun 2.
Tom Cruise and Top Gun Stunts
Despite being over 50, Cruise is still performing stunts so extreme that Top Gun: Maverick director had to get permission from the navy for stunts to go ahead.
Cruise says: ‘It is aggressive, you can’t act that – the distortion in the face. They’re pulling 7.5-8Gs – 16,000 pounds of force…it is heavy duty.’
Not only is this stunt extreme and impressive, it brings with it some incredible viewing.
In order to create this scene, they had the world’s greatest fighter pilots working with them and a new camera system that allows 6 IMAX quality cameras in the cockpit with the actors.
This stunt brings the audience into the cockpit for a very close and very real viewing experience.
Could the need for speed in this 2020 film crush the original Top Gun?
Top Gun: Maverick – Release Date
Finally, fans will find out for themselves.
For the hard-core Top Gun fan, the release date could not come sooner.
Those who follow Cruise and watch his interviews will know that the release of this film was confirmed by Cruise in a 2017 interview. Cruise was asked if the rumors were true on the Australian morning show, Sunrise. He confirmed that there would be a second film and that he would ‘probably’ start filing within the year.
It was already a long wait for fans, but the film was later delayed thanks to coronavirus, which caused the release date to be extended.
Top Gun: Maverick is set to grace theatres on 23rd December 2020.
Cruise took to Instagram to make the announcement.
ncG1vNJzZmiblaGyo63NrK6eqqNjsLC5jqGmsGWfobFuw8CsZK2nnWKws8HIrJxmoZ5iwbC8jKCsp2c%3D