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Why Kelly McGillis Isn’t in Top Gun: Maverick: “I’m Old and I’m Fat, and I Look Age-Appropriate”

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The post Why Kelly McGillis Isn’t in Top Gun : Maverick: “I’m Old and I’m Fat, and I Look Age-Appropriate” appeared first on Consequence .

Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer returned to the Navy for Top Gun: Maverick ,  but one familiar face missing from the sequel is Kelly McGillis , who played Cruise’s love interest in the 1986 original. According to McGillis, she wasn’t asked to join the film, and she matter-of-factly cited her appearance for her exclusion.

Entertainment Tonight asked McGillis way back in 2019 if the makers of Top Gun: Maverick had asked her to be in the film. “Oh my god no. They did not, nor do I think they would ever,” she replied, almost laughing at the idea. “I mean, I’m old and I’m fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about.”

Fortunately, McGillis didn’t seem to be upset by her very realistic explanation. “I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age, as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff,” she said. The 64-year-old actress told ET that she left Hollywood to get sober and focus on raising her family, and isn’t necessarily itching to see the sequel anyway.

“I guess it depends on what kind of reviews it gets,” she said. “I’m not racing to the theater, and I’m not racing away from the theater to see it.”

McGillis played astrophysicist and training school instructor Charlie Blackwood in the original  Top Gun. In this iteration, Jennifer Connelly portrays Maverick’s new love interest, Penny Benjamin. The long-awaited sequel was directed by Joseph Kosinski and also stars Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, Ed Harris, and Glen Powell.

Why Kelly McGillis Isn’t in Top Gun: Maverick: “I’m Old and I’m Fat, and I Look Age-Appropriate” Carys Anderson

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Who Is Top Gun: Maverick’s Penny and Is She in the First Film?

Since Kelly McGillis did not return for the Top Gun sequel, producers turned to an "old flame" for Maverick's love interest, Penny Benjamin.

• Kelly McGillis' portrayal of Charlie in the original Top Gun brought a sense of equality to her relationship with Maverick, dictating the terms of their romance.
• In the sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, Jennifer Connelly's character Penny Benjamin replaces Charlie as Maverick's love interest, addressing outdated attitudes and reflecting on Maverick's advancing age.
• Penny's inclusion adds dramatic weight to the film, helping Maverick reckon with his choices and make peace with Rooster, while maintaining the essence of Charlie's role in supporting the male protagonist.

Kelly McGillis' Charlie was one of the big reasons the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun worked so well. A smart, capable woman in an era of token girlfriends, the Top Gun actress brought a surprising sense of equality to her relationship with Tom Cruise's Maverick. She dictated the terms of their romance, she was presented as the more emotionally mature of the two, and, at the end of the film, he came to her rather than staying out with the boys and their shirtless volleyball games. Her status as an instructor keeps her in Maverick's orbit without much effort, and she was a shoo-in for Top Gun: Maverick , the 2022 sequel that turned into an even bigger hit than the first film.

Yet McGillis didn't appear as part of the cast of Maverick , citing ageism as the cause. Her absence left Maverick without one of the key ingredients to its predecessor's success. Instead, Jennifer Connelly joined the Top Gun: Maverick cast as the new love interest: Penny Benjamin, who, as it turns out, is really the only other viable option for the part. Penny Benjamin appeared in Maverick's life before the smash-hit sequel that saved theaters and cemented Cruise's status as one of the last bankable movie stars in an era defined by franchises and high-concept films. Her appearance in Maverick plays off of a minor subplot in the first Top Gun, which develops into a solid romantic relationship in the new one. Connelly's casting indicates that the filmmakers needed more than just lip service when it came to replacing a figure as important to the first film as Charlie was.

Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on April 4, 2024: Top Gun: Maverick was one of the biggest hits of 2022, and it brought the series back in a big way. Alongside familiar faces, it also introduced new characters such as Penny Benjamin. Though only hinted at in the first movie, she has a history with Tom Cruise's Maverick, making the Jennifer Connelly character something of an old flame. She's also a key part of the popular movie's story, and with a sequel on the way, she may likely return.

Who Was Penny In the First Top Gun Movie?

Jon hamm's role in top gun: maverick almost went to major marvel actor.

While Jennifer Connelly wasn't a part of the Top Gun 1986 cast , her character was mentioned in the film. The original Top Gun framed Maverick's bad-boy heroics as something of a backlash against his father's reputation. The elder pilot was killed in Vietnam, and held accountable for a mission failure that wasn't his fault. Maverick, in response, tends to color outside the lines, using his piloting skills to get away with stunts like ignoring orders and buzzing the tower. It impedes his career advancement and ultimately costs him the Top Gun trophy to his best frenemy Iceman, though it's a big part of what makes him such an effective pilot. (That includes his unauthorized test run of the supposedly impossible mission in the new film: breaking the rules and somehow demonstrating his indispensable nature in the bargain.)

His antics involve plenty of ground-based shenanigans, including an infamous incident with a woman (Penny Benjamin) referred to as "the admiral's daughter." It starts when his commanding officer reads a litany of his bad-boy behavior as exposition, including "high-speed passes over five air-control towers and one admiral's daughter." At the accusation, Goose whispers the woman's name: Penny Benjamin. Meg Ryan's Carole Bradshaw also mentions the incident later in the film, teasing Maverick about the time he went "ballistic" with Penny Benjamin, the admiral's daughter. It's presented as part of a pattern of womanizing and one-night stands that Charlie breaks with true love, and quietly contrasts the comparative maturity of their romance with the adolescent flirtations of his past.

Penny Benjamin becomes a ready way to address it without creating a new character out of whole cloth. Like Maverick, she comes from a military family, and presumably grapples with the expectations that come from a "legendary" father. With Charlie gone -- rightly or wrongly -- she's the only other love interest with a presence in the series. Including her provides context that Maverick can build upon, instead of trying to squeeze an entirely new character into a film already packed to the gills with content.

How Penny Replaces Charlie in Top Gun: Maverick

Tom cruise takes a wild ride in mission: impossible 8 set photos.

Maverick suggests Maverick and Penny have maintained an on-again, off-again relationship for many years. That downplays the notion of Maverick as Lothario, and further implies that -- infamous tryst aside -- the two had genuine feelings for each other. It explains their rekindled love interest in the film, with Penny now a bar owner and single mom who reconnects with Maverick as he struggles with the consequences of his choices. Specifically, he blocked Goose's son Rooster from joining the Naval Academy at Carole's behest before she passed away. Penny helps Maverick to reckon with that, which allows him to make peace with Rooster in Top Gun: Maverick 's third act.

In addition, it gives the Top Gun universe a past with a history that audiences can relate to. The sequel portrays Maverick as someone still dedicated to his job. Most of his friends are colleagues in the military, and many of them have died over the years: including Carole and Iceman, whose passing from cancer constitutes the film's most gut-wrenching moment . Penny lets Maverick connect with a romantic interest without having to spend screen time filling out her backstory.

Since the original film declined to elaborate on her personality, Maverick's filmmakers have an essentially blank canvas to work with. Like Maverick, Penny has clearly experienced her ups and downs in life, including a marriage that didn't work out and a son whom she's presumably raised on her own. Her occasional flings with Maverick mean that she knows at least a little of what he's lost over the years, and that the two have been there to support each other in the past. That connection provides both a solid background for the pair and commiserate experiences that allow them to become a couple quickly and organically.

It also gives her some dramatic weight beyond just being a replacement for Charlie, as well as reframing Maverick for an era when "scoring" has a very different connotation. Penny still serves the same purpose she did -- supporting a male protagonist without generating any energy of her own -- but bringing in a previously established figure at least organically addresses the specifics. It's a testament to the care Maverick has put into its story, and it helped keep the Top Gun franchise flying high after 35 years. The film quite likely wouldn't have succeeded quite as well without her.

Jennifer Connelly is an Oscar-Winning Actor with a Long Career

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Jennfer Connelly was a Hollywood veteran long before her role as Penny Benjamin, with a career stretching back to Once Upon a Time in America in 1984. She won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2001 for the Ron Howard biopic A Beautiful Mind alongside the actor Russell Crowe, and has worked on an impressive array of projects in the four decades since she began. Though she's appeared in her share of big-budget Hollywood projects, she's known for truly daring performances in smaller films, such as Requiem for a Dream by iconic director Darren Aronofsky , in which she played a clothing designer who destroys her life through drug addiction. Comic book fans know her as the original Betty Ross in Ang Lee's 2004 film Hulk .

Though not directly connected to the first Top Gun, Jennifer Connelly does have an oblique off-screen link. The same year it was released, Connelly starred in the Jim Henson fantasy Labyrinth . The film bombed that summer against the original Top Gun and other militaristic films like Aliens , but quickly gained a cult following, and today is considered an indispensable fantasy classic. Her performance in that film -- made at the tender age of 15 and opposite no less a presence than David Bowie -- is as much a signature role for her as Maverick is for Cruise.

Top Gun: Maverick

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After thirty years, Maverick is still pushing the envelope as a top naval aviator, but must confront ghosts of his past when he leads TOP GUN's elite graduates on a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those chosen to fly it.

Kelly McGillis Says She's 'Old,' 'Fat' And OK Being Left Out Of 'Top Gun' Sequel

General Assignment Reporter, HuffPost

Kelly McGillis , who played Tom Cruise’s love interest in the original “Top Gun” movie, said she was not asked to return for the upcoming “Top Gun: Maverick” sequel.

And she didn’t mince words explaining why she thinks that is.

Asked by “Entertainment Tonight” recently if the makers of the “Top Gun” sequel offered her a part, McGillis, 62, replied, “Oh my god no. They did not, nor do I think they would ever. I’m old and I’m fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about.”

McGillis played Tom Cruise’s love interest, astrophysicist and training school instructor Charlie Blackwood in the 1986 original about cocky Navy fighter pilots. Jennifer Connelly has been cast as the new movie’s love interest of Maverick, played by Cruise, 57. “Top Gun: Maverick” also brings back Val Kilmer, 59, as Maverick’s rival Iceman.

McGillis didn’t appear to feel slighted by the snub.

“I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age, as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff,” McGillis told “ET.”

McGillis said she’s not feeling the need for speed to go watch “Top Gun: Maverick,” scheduled to open in 2020.

“I’m not racing to the theater, and I’m not racing away from the theater to see it,” she said.

HuffPost has reached out to a Paramount rep for comment.

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‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Star Jennifer Connelly on Love Scenes With Tom Cruise and Learning to Tend Bar

By Matt Donnelly

Matt Donnelly

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Despite the optics of shirtless volleyball games and locker room sparring, you can’t make a “Top Gun” movie without a strong and emotionally centered woman. For “ Top Gun: Maverick ,” a sequel 36 years in the making, the successor to the original film’s Kelly McGillis is Jennifer Connelly . She plays Penny Benjamin, a character referenced in the first film, and love interest to Tom Cruise ’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Playing a single mom who owns an Air Force watering hole, Connelly brings new dimensions to an ’80s classic.

It’s hard to believe you haven’t worked with Tom Cruise before.

I had never even met Tom Cruise before. He’s so exceptional. Spending time with him, you understand how someone has been such a movie star for so many years. It was clear to me what the franchise means to him, so I felt beholden to him, [producer] Jerry Bruckheimer and the audiences who love the film so much.

Your character isn’t active military. Does that mean you were spared the grittier action scenes?

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I have a sailing scene, and it was a very distracting environment. We were on a boat shooting up in San Francisco; it was incredibly windy, with big waves. The boat was at an impossible angle, moving so fast, and we had to play the scene at the same time. I was so paranoid that I was going to forget something with all those distractions. I found myself standing on the coffee table in my living room, practicing with my kids spraying water at me and blowing on me while I ran my lines. I have video of it.

You have a love scene in this, which is not something we see often from Cruise at this stage in his career.

We focused on the intimacy of how they fit into each other’s lives. I think those characters have a really tender relationship, the way she understands him. They share a moment in bed chatting, and it tells as much about their relationship as the scene that is the preamble to that. Clearly, they have some unresolved business between them, and she navigates that with humor and playfulness. I feel like she’s someone who is positive and is moving toward happiness.

Did you go Method for this? Were you on set making drinks?

We had a working beer tap on set, and I spent a lot of time pouring. I practiced a lot because I thought that would be a terrible giveaway if I couldn’t do it properly.

If you had a “Top Gun” pilot nickname, what would it be?

I do have a nickname, but from way back when I was in college. I run, but casually. I thought, “I’d love to be on a team, but I don’t play sports.” I am really stubborn and determined, so I thought maybe I could will myself to run really fast. In retrospect, I was more of a mascot. I never competed, and I was the slowest on the team. My nickname on the roster was Death Grip.

Similar to “Top Gun,” a lot of the work you’ve done has cultural staying power, like “Labyrinth.”

Yes, wow. I was 14 when I made that movie. I attribute that staying power so much to Jim Henson — those exquisite, huge practical sets. It was a wonderland. And, of course, David Bowie. So all of those elements: amazing sets, puppets and Bowie.

Things you didn’t know about Jennifer Connelly

Hometown: Brooklyn, N.Y.

Head of class: Attended Yale and Stanford universities, studying English literature and drama, respectively.

Man on the street: The movie most people approach Connelly about is not her David Bowie romp “Labyrinth” or the awards player “Little Children” from Todd Field. “‘Requiem for a Dream’ is a big one,” she says. “That movie had a profound impact on people.”

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What Tom Cruise And Kelly McGillis' Relationship Was Like On The Set Of Top Gun

Tom Cruise charmed his way into the hearts of many after he starred as Maverick in the 1986 film, "Top Gun." In the movie, the daring and adventurous bad boy sparked a relationship with one of his teachers, played by Kelly McGillis . The chemistry between the two radiated off the screen as their steamy romance had people convinced the two were a real-life couple.

Many even questioned the status of their relationship years after the movie was released. McGillis shared that she constantly interacts with "Top Gun" fans asking where Cruise is. She told The Guardian , "They come in asking, 'Where's Tom?' And I say, 'I don't know. I guess he's somewhere else.' And they say, 'Well, aren't you married?' I mean, these are adults, for Christ's sake. I have to say to them, 'That was a movie – it was fake.'" Clearly, their on-screen chemistry was out of this world, but was their relationship as strong off-screen? Apparently so.

McGillis has detailed how close the entire cast was and compared the experience to "being at camp," per Movie Talk (via Yahoo ). She said, "Well, we had a lot of partying going on after work. You can imagine -– yeah we just all hung out together and went to the driving range and did things...We just had a good time." And as for her relationship with Cruise, the actor has continuously shared how amazing the "Mission Impossible" actor was on set.

Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis' relationship soared

There have been plenty of instances where actors were totally repulsed by their co-stars , but Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis did not have that problem. Instead, their friendship soared on-set and on film, and McGillis would be the first to admit it. The actor has gushed about her "Top Gun" co-star on several occasions. In her interview with Movie Talk, she shared, "I think Tom is terrific. He's the sweetest guy. He is very genuine and sincere and respectful. And I just loved working with Tom. I think he is wonderful."

Cruise was even a part of some of McGillis' highlights on the set, especially when filming got frustrating. She told Entertainment Tonight , "We had to get this one shot by an airplane and it was at golden hour, and I remember going back to that friggin' tarmac about 120 times (laughs)...So I do remember that and I just remember working with Tom — he's such a kind and generous and respectful person, he was just lovely to work with."

While they didn't fight like their iconic scene in the film, some fans thought that the romantic plot line between Cruise and McGillis was unnecessary. Even though the "Mission Impossible" actor once agreed, in an interview with  Roger Ebert , the star noted that he never blamed McGillis herself. Cruise only praised his co-star, calling her a "fantastic actor." Their friendship was stronger than ever on-set, but with the latest sequel, things might have changed.

Kelly McGillis wasn't asked to be in Top Gun: Maverick

You are truly a rarity if you are one of the few individuals who has not seen "Top Gun: Maverick." The sequel to the original 1986 film, "Top Gun," was a smash hit , despite it missing an important character. Fans of the original movie will notice that Kelly McGillis did not return as Tom Cruise's love interest in the sequel. Instead, she was replaced by Jennifer Connelly, who played Penny Benjamin and was briefly mentioned in the first film.

According to Insider , the director of the sequel, Joseph Kosinski, never considered bringing back McGillis. He shared, "Those weren't stories that we were throwing around. I didn't want every storyline to always be looking backwards. It was important to introduce some new characters." But, McGillis isn't convinced. The "Top Gun" actor revealed to Entertainment Tonight  that she thinks she wasn't asked to return because of her looks. She said, "I'm old and I'm fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is. And that is not what that whole scene is about."

Not only did McGillis lose her iconic role in the sequel, but she also lost her friendship with Cruise. When asked if she keeps in touch with anyone from the film, she revealed, "Movies are odd things. I don't really keep in touch with anybody. I think I've spoken to a couple of people occasionally, but the truth is, movies are very odd work situations..."

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Top Gun ’s Kelly McGillis Gets Refreshingly Candid About Not Being Invited to the Sequel

By Yohana Desta

Kelly McGillis, who memorably played love-interest Charlie opposite Tom Cruise in Top Gun, doesn’t seem to mind that she’s not involved in the upcoming sequel to the ’80s classic. In a refreshingly candid interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Golden Globe nominee said she wasn’t asked to be part of the film. And she’s not surprised, to be honest.

“I’m old and I’m fat and I look age-appropriate for what my age is, and that is not what that whole scene is about,” the 62-year-old told the outlet. “But...I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff.”

In the upcoming film, Top Gun: Maverick, Cruise reprises his role the titular Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, starring opposite Jennifer Connelly as the main love interest. In the ET interview, McGillis gave Connelly her blessing, saying “I’m glad for her.”

Since Top Gun, McGillis’s blockbuster career has slowed down, though she has continued acting and teaching acting classes in Asheville, North Carolina, where she has lived for several years with her two daughters Sonora and Kelsey Tillman. McGillis said she initially moved away from the industry in order to get sober.

“It was very challenging for me to have any kind of sense of self or self-identity or real self-worth other than what I did for a living,” she said. “And it just—it didn’t become a priority; what became the priority initially was raising my girls and being the best sober parent I could be.”

Her movement away from acting wasn’t necessarily intentional, she said. “It wasn’t like a major decision that I made to leave, it was just that other things became more important,” she added. “I love acting, I love what I do, I love doing theater, but I don’t know. To me, my relationships to other people became far more important than my relationship to fame.”

McGillis doesn’t keep up with many people from the Top Gun production, she said. “I don’t really keep in touch with anybody. I think I’ve spoken to a couple of people occasionally, but the truth is, movies are very odd work situations because you have a lot of people who come together from all different parts of the world.”

As for the new Top Gun, McGillis said she has not yet seen the new trailer, nor is she counting down the days until the film’s release.

“I’m not racing to the theater and I’m not racing away from the theater,” she said. “It’s not on my little list of things that I would like to get done.”

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The Little Mermaid: How the Remake Cast Stacks Up to the Animated Original

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'Top Gun' secrets: Why Tom Cruise's love scene isn't steamy and Val Kilmer's voice didn't need A.I.

• "Top Gun: Maverick" director Joseph Kosinski spoke about theatrical success of film now on digital.
• Pete Mitchell (Tom Cruise) has a dramatic reunion with Val Kilmer's Iceman 36 years after "Top Gun."
• A.I. technology was not used for Kilmer's voice in the scene, Kosinski says.

"Top Gun: Maverick" has permission to  buzz the tower , because it's coming home a hero. 

The long-awaited sequel to  1986's "Top Gun,"  again starring  Tom Cruise  as fighter pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, maneuvered through a gantlet of COVID-19 delays, with both filmmakers and the studio adamant that the film get a theater release.

The steely move paid off with a direct hit , as critics, old-school fans and newbies united in reentering the "Danger Zone."

"Maverick" has blasted through box-office records, bypassing "Titanic" and "Avengers: Infinity War" in all-time domestic earnings while raking in $1.4 billion worldwide.

"We e-mail every time another milestone is reached. Crossing over 'Titanic' to be Paramount's biggest movie ever was a big one," director Joseph Kosinski says of Cruise. "Our reaction is always the same: 'Congratulations, can you believe this?' And it just keeps going."

As "Maverick" prepares to land Tuesday for digital rental and purchase, Kosinski spoke to USA TODAY about the film's massive success.

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Question: That reunion scene between Cruise's Maverick and Val Kilmer's terminally ill Iceman really struck a chord. What was it about the scene that connected so strongly with fans? 

Joseph Kosinski: It's two of our finest actors reunited on screen for the first time in 36 years, playing these iconic characters people have grown attached to watching "Top Gun" hundreds of times. To see them together, confronting some real heavy ideas and themes – confronting the end and having to let go – that's stuff anyone can relate to. Even more than the action, people tell me it's the emotional experience in "Maverick" that has made people go back again and again.

Val Kilmer on Tom Cruise reunion: That final 'Top Gun: Maverick' hug was 'straight from the heart'

Q: Kilmer, who has dealt with throat cancer, types most of his scene dialogue on the computer. Does that make Kilmer speaking his final words in the scene all the more powerful?

Kosinski: Every time I've seen the film with an audience, that gets a reaction. It's those final lines between them.

Q: There were reports that a London-based tech company has used artificial intelligence to restore Val Kilmer's voice. Was that used in the film?

Kosinski: I've read about it and saw Val is working with that company. But I've never used that technology and we didn't use that A.I. technology in "Top Gun." (Kilmer's) voice was digitally altered and blended a little bit just for clarity.

Q: Maverick and Charlie (Kelly McGillis) got steamy in "Top Gun," but the bedroom scene with Maverick and Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly) featured a lot of talking, with a kiss at the end. What was the thinking there?

Kosinski: The relationship between Maverick and Charlie is obviously a very different one. We're now with someone at a different point of Maverick's life. The relationship between Maverick and Penny is much deeper than a purely physical one. She's a really important emotional counterpoint for Maverick in this film. This felt like the right way to tell our story. 

Q: Was there any thought of having Lady Gaga sing a new version of the classic "Take My Breath Away" instead of her original song "Hold My Hand"?

Kosinski: No. "Take My Breath Away" is really Maverick and Charlie's theme from the first film. It never occurred to me to use it as a love theme for this film. It's a different relationship. And then once we heard Gaga's song that she had written, the problem was solved. We had our love theme. 

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Q: Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" made a return, of course, and even has orchestral versions in Hans Zimmer's "Maverick" score. Is that the ultimate honor for the '80s classic rock song?

Kosinski : Definitely. Hans Zimmer uses those five or six notes from "Danger Zone" over and over, in the film's beginning and in the third act. It's a really brilliant way to take the melody from Kenny Loggins' song and interpret it for an orchestral piece. 

Q: Ed Harris (as Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain)   told us that jet flyover was so powerful, it knocked the roof off the guard station. Can you confirm the damage?

Kosinski: That was a filmmaking experience I'll never forget – Ed Harris standing there for real at the end of that runway taking that shock wave. We had worked with each rehearsal to get the altitude we wanted. So we had one take at the perfect altitude. And it blew the roof off the guard tower. It was intense. We had to wrap after that shot. Anyone else would have been blown away. But Ed Harris took it. And film is forever.

Q: You've brushed off "Maverick" sequel questions in the past. But I'll give you two choices: "Top Gun: Maverick" sequel or "Top Gun: The Musical.' Can you chose one?

Kosinski: A musical sounds great. I would love to see "Top Gun" on Broadway. That might be a genius idea.

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Monica Barbaro Survived Top Gun: Maverick Thanks to Ballet and a ‘High Pain Tolerance’ 

By Emily Tannenbaum

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When Monica Barbaro first learned she’d booked a role in Top Gun: Maverick , a pipe burst in her family home. “All hell was breaking loose,” Barbaro tells me over Zoom from Toronto, where she’s filming an upcoming Netflix spy series. “I was like, ‘Mom, I got the part and she’s not a love interest, she’s a pilot!’ We were both tearing up and she’s like, ‘I need to call the plumber.’”

Four years after receiving that call and almost three since filming wrapped in June 2019, the highly anticipated sequel to Tom Cruise ’s 1986 classic is finally here, introducing a new group of elite naval aviators. Among the adrenaline junkies vying for a spot on a dangerous mission led by Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Cruise) is the franchise’s first female fighter pilot, Lieutenant Natasha “Phoenix” Trace.

While Barbaro’s costars include major Hollywood players like Glen Powell , Miles Teller , and Jay Ellis , the lesser-known actor had a secret advantage going into hours of grueling flight and water survival training . Now 31 years old, the San Francisco native graduated from NYU’s BFA dance program in 2010 before moving back to California to pursue a career in acting. Little did she know, years of ballet would provide the tools and “high pain tolerance” needed to remain conscious while performing aerial maneuvers in actual F-18 fighter jets.

“There was a funny moment where a couple of the guys were saying they hated going upside down, and I was like, ‘I’ve been going upside down forever,’” Barbaro says with a laugh. “I would do handstands before flights…. It helped me control some of the weird feelings of blood rushing to spaces you don’t usually want it to.” For this reason, Barbaro is one of the few actors on set who did not throw up while filming her intense flight sequences.

She may not have arrived on the set of Top Gun with a stacked IMDB profile, but that’s about to change. Aside from starring alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger in the aforementioned spy thriller, Barbaro is signed on for another TV series and two more films in various stages of filming and post-production. In Glamour’s latest installment of New Here , Monica Barbaro opens up about the inspiration behind her Top Gun character, breaking the rules on set, and what it’s like having a Barbie designed in your image.

Glamour : How did this role come about for you?

An email came in with a project called Island Plaza, and my reps were immediately like, “This is the Top Gun sequel.” I had to do a self-tape first because I was not a heavy hitter. They were like, ‘I guess she can self-tape.’ [ Laughs. ] I gave it everything. Then I got called back and got to meet director Joe Kosinski. He wanted to double-check that I wasn’t afraid of flying because we would be flying jets in this movie. And then he’s like, “Can you swim?” I was like, “Yeah.” He was like, “You’re a comfortable swimmer?” I was like, “Yeah.” You know, lying.

I had to put a flight suit on for a camera test, and that was pretty funny. I recently heard that Robert Pattinson took a selfie in the Batman suit, just in case he didn’t get it. I fully did that too. Then I auditioned again and got it.

One of the most refreshing things about Phoenix is that despite being the only woman in the group of fighter pilots, she didn’t get placed into a love interest role and was never forced to go out of her way to prove herself to her teammates or fight for respect. How did that compare to your own experience on set with such a male-dominated cast?

Phoenix was modeled after a lot of amazing women that I got to meet and that I got to fly with in this movie. They are awesome, and when they were speaking, people would listen. I know, it’s not always been like that for women in aviation. I’m sure there’ve been times when they were disrespected, which was represented somewhat by Hangman’s (Powell’s) personality. But they’re badass fighter pilots and they held their own.

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As for filming, there was a lot of art imitating life. Tom Cruise developed this intense training program, and we all became really bonded because we realized that nobody really understood what we were going through. It wasn’t like anything any other actor had ever experienced.

How many hours of training did you go through?

Well, we did somewhere around 40 hours of flight training and a fair amount of ground school for flying. Everyone did a ton of swim training in case you have to eject over water. It’s not just swimming; you get pushed off this high-rise and have to fall in the pool and unstrap your parachute. There’s one drill where the wind is pulling the parachute and pulling you across the water. I did extra swimming because I was really nervous about that.

Is that fun or terrifying?

A little bit of both. I’ve come to realize I’m not an adrenaline junkie, but it was really fun. You just feel so purposeful training for those things and doing those things. I think we all had to overcome some big fears at different times.

If you had an on-set superlative, what would it be?

Everyone loves to talk about the fact that I didn’t throw up. So, least likely to throw up would be cool.

Who threw up?

A lot of people. Honestly, my hat goes off to them because the idea of throwing up regularly and then continuing this job is just insane to me. I mean, this movie was intense on the ground , let alone in the air. On top of that, they had to throw up and recover and keep filming. Jay Ellis and I were basically the ones who didn’t.

How does it feel to have your own official Barbie doll ?

It’s the only thing I refuse to be humble about. It’s insane. It allows me a little bit of separation in that it’s Phoenix. My name is nowhere on that box, so it’s about the cool character that I got to play and I can be unabashedly proud of it. If there were a Monica Barbaro Barbie, I think I would just panic. My friends did a whole photo shoot in Central Park with me. I haven’t posted any of the pictures yet.

The great thing about the whole situation is that Paramount and Mattel really included me in the conversation. I did get to say, “Let’s do a little less makeup.” She started out with a totally different skin tone than me—she was a lot lighter than me—and had a different figure. They very quickly molded her to more of the way I look. Which I thought was really cool. She’s sitting on my shelf at home.

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Speaking of Barbies and makeup, are there any products you discovered on set that you can’t live without?

My makeup artist on Top Gun used the Chanel Vitalumiére Aqua foundation. It’s this incredible foundation that just evens out your skin tone without completely covering all your freckles and things. She used it on the guys in this movie too.

What did you buy with your first big acting check?

I am trying to locate it right now, which is freaking me out. I really wanted this Elsa Peretti Tiffany necklace, which is on a very, very thin gold chain with just a little diamond. My grandma used to have jewelry that my grandpa would buy her at different times, and she would remember exactly where they were or why he bought it, and I thought, “I’m gonna buy myself jewelry when I book work.” That was the first thing when I booked UnReal years ago and then I immediately panicked that I spent way too much money on this thing. I love it and I usually wear it all the time. I took it off, it got tangled, and now I have to find it but I’m not even at home so I can’t go looking for it right now.

What’s the greatest lesson you learned on the set of Top Gun ?

I think one of the greatest lessons I learned was I really am capable of so much more than I ever thought I was. The fun lesson I learned from the cast is to be more of an ask-for-forgiveness person, instead of being an ask-for-permission person. In this industry, there’s a lot of fun to be had. I think I was toeing the line and protecting the rules in a way that I don’t really need to.

What’s a rule the cast decided to break?

Taking a lot of behind-the-scenes photos. We were definitely told not to a thousand times, and then we were told to delete them because we weren’t supposed to have them. And I was like, I’m not going to delete them. Now we’re all just waiting for when can we post our behind-the-scenes stuff and not have to ask.

You can see Top Gun: Maverick in theaters now. Emily Tannenbaum is an entertainment editor, critic, and screenwriter living in Los Angeles . 

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Top Gun's Kelly McGillis Confirms What We Suspected About Tom Cruise's On-Set Behavior

Fans are eagerly awaiting Tom Cruise's fighter to kick the tires and light the fires in the long-awaited sequel  "Top Gun: Maverick,"  which,  after many delays , is finally set to hit theaters in May. Cruise is indisputably one of Hollywood's biggest stars and, at times, a polarizing figure due to his personal life. The three-time Oscar nominee has starred in over 50 movies and is also a successful producer (via  IMDb ).

Cruise is known for his work in well-known films like "Risky Business," "The Outsiders," "Legend," and "All the Right Moves," but his performance as daredevil Navy aviator Pete "Maverick" Mitchell in 1986's "Top Gun" is remembered as the one that made him a full-fledged movie star. The action flick, directed by the late Tony Scott, also stars Anthony Edwards,  Kelly McGillis , Val Kilmer, and Meg Ryan. In this year's "Top Gun: Maverick," Cruise is poised to return to the Naval Fighter Weapons School as an instructor who will train the latest crop of hotshot pilots.

McGillis, who played Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood in the original film, revealed to  Entertainment Tonight  in 2019 that she wasn't asked to reprise her role in the "Top Gun" sequel. Instead, Cruise's character has a new lady in his life, Penny Benjamin, played by Jennifer Connelly ("A Beautiful Mind"). According to  CinemaBlend , Benjamin owns a bar near the famous flight school. 

Due to some high-profile off-screen hijinks and a long association with the controversial Church of Scientology, Cruise has earned a bit of a mixed public reputation. With that in mind, you might expect that his on-set behavior matches his eccentric tabloid headlines. Not so, reports McGillis, who has only nice things to say about her former on-screen love interest, confirming our long-held belief that Cruise might be a little more down-to-Earth than his reputation suggests.

Kelly McGillis called her Top Gun co-star 'wonderful'

In a 2013 interview with the  Los Angeles Times , Kelly McGillis recalled that, except for Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, the "Top Gun" cast stayed at the same hotel during the shoot and had a lot of time to bond. "There was definitely a big ensemble group camaraderie," she said.

She went on to say that Cruise was "incredibly respectful, polite, and very honest." Similarly, she had nothing but good things to say about the actor in a 2013 interview with Yahoo! Movies . "I think Tom is terrific. He's the sweetest guy," said McGillis. "He is very genuine and sincere and respectful. And I just loved working with Tom. I think he is wonderful."

Although the upcoming sequel has thrust McGillis back into the spotlight, the actress doesn't appear much interested in fame these days. In 2019, McGillis told ET, "To me, my relationships to other people became far more important than my relationship to fame."

McGillis also admitted that she hasn't kept in touch with her former co-stars, and at the time, she hadn't seen the trailer for "Top Gun: Maverick" and appeared somewhat ambivalent about watching the finished product.

Notably, "Top Gun: Maverick" actress Jennifer Connelly appears to share her predecessor's high opinion of Cruise , particularly when it comes to his professionalism and unparalleled work ethic on set.

"I've never seen anyone work harder, be more committed to his work," Connelly told  CinemaBlend  in 2020. "Every moment is an opportunity to do all that he can do to deliver the best thing that he can possibly deliver."

McGillis compared filming Top Gun to being at summer camp

In addition to enjoying her time working alongside Tom Cruise, Kelly McGillis told Yahoo! Movies that the entire "Top Gun" cast was close. She recalled that, after shooting, they would throw parties and play sports to unwind.

"We just had a good time. We all hung out and we would play tennis and basketball and it was just fun," she told the outlet. McGillis went on to say that it was like being at a summer camp where everyone worked together and played together afterward.

In 2019, she told ET that movies create unique relationships because they bring people so close for brief moments in their lives. "I think I've spoken to a couple of people occasionally, but the truth is, movies are very odd work situations because you have a lot of people who come together from all different parts of the world," she said.

Despite her positive memories of being on set and her appreciation for the life-changing role, McGillis has been honest about why she wasn't brought back for a sequel. Back in 2013, she speculated that she wouldn't be invited back because of her age and appearance.

"You hear women of my age talk about this all the time," she told the Los Angeles Times. "I think this industry is not particularly kind to women who are over 50. I am not into the coloring of my hair, doing the Botox and getting a facelift."

While she isn't involved with the upcoming sequel, McGill told ET that she's happy for Connelly to have the part.

"Top Gun: Maverick" begins playing in theaters on May 27.

After Locking Lips With Tom Cruise In Top Gun: Maverick, Jennifer Connelly Lands Next Big Screen Role

What is Jennifer Connelly’s next big role?

Jennifer Connelly , well known for her roles in Labyrinth , A Beautiful Mind and He’s Just Not That Into You, has not appeared on the big screen a lot lately. Sure, many were excited about her lead role in TBS’s Snowpiercer , but it’s been a while since she’s been in a memorable movie. That is until she landed a key role in Top Gun: Maverick as Maverick’s former girlfriend, Penny. After completing her steamy scenes with Tom Cruise, it looks like Jennifer Connelly has already got her next role all lined up. 

The Hulk star is set to star in the dark comedy Bad Behaviour . According to Deadline , Jennifer Connelly will play a former child star seeking enlightenment at a retreat while trying to navigate the complicated relationship she has with her daughter. Alice Englert is the actress playing her daughter, who you may know from her roles in Beautiful Creatures and The Power of the Dog. 

Not only will Alice Englert be acting in Bad Behaviour , she's also writing the screenplay and making her directorial debut with this flick. Hopefully, this new adventure the 28-year-old up-and-coming director will be undertaking will be a successful one. Playing the retreat's spiritual leader will be Ben Whishaw , who you may remember in the lead role of Adam Kay's series This Is Going to Hurt and playing Q in the latter three Daniel Craig-led James Bond movies . Ana Scotney, Dasha Nekrasova Karan Gill and Marlon Williams help complete the cast of this New Zealand-set independent film.

The fondest experience Jennifer Connelly had being part of Top Gun : Maverick was being able to work with her leading man, Tom Cruise . She could not help but be impressed with Cruise’s hard work and commitment to the movie. While she may have been “paranoid” about knowing her lines, he got them down flat. It’s like he was born to take on the role of Maverick. What she also found “extraordinary” about the Mission: Impossible star was his generosity in everything he does and his ability to seize opportunities. It proves that if you think very fondly of your on-screen partner, it will bring out that natural chemistry audiences will see onscreen. 

Considering all of the box office landmarks that Top Gun: Maverick has hit, it will likely be easy for critics and audiences to fall in love with Jennifer Connelly all over again. This hit sequel was breaking records on its first day flying through the box office at $51.8 million, with $19.3 million from preview screenings. This action-drama film also had Cruise's best opening weekend , taking in $124 million in 4,735 theaters. While this film marked a box office record for Tom Cruise by the actor having a number one box office hit for five consecutive decades, this can also mean great things for Jennifer Connelly. 

With Top Gun: Maverick passing the $1 billion mark , this means millions of people have seen the talented Jennifer Connelly and will continue to do so as we see her career reach new heights, which now includes Bad Behaviour . If you haven’t seen this 2022 movie release yet, you can still see Top Gun: Maverick in theaters now.

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Screen Rant

Was jennifer connelly in the original top gun.

The love interest for Tom Cruise's character in Top Gun: Maverick is played by Jennifer Connelly. Is the actress part of the returning cast?

• Jennifer Connelly plays Penny, a new character in Top Gun: Maverick , as Maverick's love interest.
• Connelly's character, Penny Benjamin, is romantically linked to Maverick, establishing a connection to the original film.
• Adding Connelly to the cast brought a mature dynamic to Maverick's character, elevating the romantic subplot in the sequel.

The Jennifer Connelly Top Gun: Maverick character is the love interest of Tom Cruise’s Maverick . Jennifer Connelly has had a long and successful career, including Hulk, Requiem for a Dream , and A Beautiful Mind. Her career in films dates back to 1984, two years before the release of the original Top Gun . In Top Gun: Maverick , Connelly plays Penny, a bartender who captures the romantic interest of Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Connelly joins a star-studded cast that includes, in addition to Cruise himself, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, and more.

The Jennifer Connelly Top Gun character, Penny Benjamin , is a new character in the franchise. Like most cast members, Connelly has no prior ties to Top Gun. The only other returning actor in the film aside from Cruise was Val Kilmer. Connelly herself is completely new to the Top Gun franchise, but her character does have a tangible connection to the original film. Penny was established as being romantically involved with Maverick before the movie, mentioned in conversations with Goose, which has led to some confusion over whether Jennifer Connelly was in the original Top Gun .

Top Gun: Maverick is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+. The original Top Gun is available to stream on Paramount+.

Why Top Gun’s Sex Scene Is So Bad

Jennifer connelly plays a new character for top gun: maverick, penny benjamin didn't appear in the original top gun.

The Jennifer Connelly Top Gun: Maverick inclusion can be attributed to the absence of Kelly McGillis’ Charlie Blackwood.

It was explained in Top Gun that Penny Benjamin is an admiral’s daughter. When bringing up Maverick’s troublesome history, Stinger referenced their fling as the reason he received a disciplinary in the past. However, while Maverick’s relationship with Penny — which was obviously frowned upon by his superiors — may imply that viewers should already be familiar with her, that’s actually not the case at all. Though Maverick is certainly familiar with Penny ahead of Top Gun: Maverick’s story, she had no real role to play in the first movie, and there was no Jennifer Connelly Top Gun appearance.

The Jennifer Connelly Top Gun: Maverick inclusion can be attributed to the absence of Kelly McGillis’ Charlie Blackwood . Charlie’s romance with Maverick was, of course, a major part of the original movie but has since become a thing of the past. Since McGillis didn't play Charlie again, Top Gun: Maverick has moved on by bringing one of Top Gun’s unseen characters into the picture as Maverick’s love interest.

Top Gun 2: Why Maverick & Charlie Are No Longer Together

Why do people think jennifer connelly was in the original top gun, viewers thinking jennifer connelly was in the original top gun is down to her being an 80s icon.

Connelly was only 16 when Top Gun came out, meaning she was much too young to appear in the movie.

It must be a case of misremembering, as many believe that Jennifer Connelly was in Top Gun . However, the movie came out when her career was in its infant stages. It's been over 30 years since the original Top Gun came out, and Jennifer Connelly was working on the cult classic David Bowie film Labyrinth at the time. The confusion surrounding her involvement in Top Gun could be due to numerous factors.

The primary factor is the passing of time. Since Top Gun came out so long ago and Connelly was active during this time, it's possible that people thought she was making a return of sorts for Top Gun: Maverick . Another thing would be her overall aesthetic. Jennifer Connelly was partly responsible for creating a very specific 80s look for actresses during that time. She had a certain girl-next-door appeal that Top Gun audiences would've fallen for — especially those of a similar age.

Connelly was only 16 when Top Gun came out, meaning she was much too young to appear in the movie. However, it's truly a testament to the Top Gun: Maverick casting , as she feels exactly like an actress who would've appeared in Top Gun . The near-Mandela Effect some fans seem to be experiencing about Connelly being a returnee rather than a new cast member, however, is mainly in corners of the Top Gun fandom who saw the original 1986 movie when it released in theaters, back when they were around the same age as Jennifer Connelly herself when she appeared in Labyrinth.

Top Gun Cast & Character Guide

How jennifer connelly crafted her top gun 2 character, the top gun: maverick actress ensured penny became integral to the franchise.

Despite Jennifer Connelly's Top Gun role only existing in the sequel, the actor used that brief mention of Penny in the original to help craft her character. Connelly claimed that knowing Maverick and Penny shared a past led her to explore what kept drawing these two together. Penny proves Top Gun: Maverick worked without Charlie and the original romance as she and Maverick felt like an ideal match. However, when speaking to Screen Rant , Connelly also insisted:

"it was really important that you feel Penny is someone who is in charge of her own life, who sets her own boundaries, who lives life on her own terms, who has agency."

Given the reaction to the character, it's fair to say Connelly succeeded.

Jennifer Connelly’s 10 Best Movies (Including Top Gun Maverick), According To Metacritic

Adding jennifer connelly was one of top gun's best moves, penny was one of the top gun sequel's best new characters.

One of the things that worked so well about the Jennifer Connelly Top Gun: Maverick role was that it changed Maverick's character from a lothario who needed to find a good woman to settle down (Charlie) into someone who could have genuine feelings toward someone in a more pure way. The fact that Maverick and Penny had been seeing each other on and off for years helped Maverick grow up emotionally. The romantic subplot being so important in both movies added emotional depth and maturity to his character.

Adding Jennifer Connelly to Top Gun: Maverick gave the movie dramatic weight, and their relationship was much more important than just seeing who replaced Charlie in Maverick's life. While Penny is Charlie's replacement as the hero's love interest, it is a much more mature look at love. This isn't about Maverick scoring with a hot woman. It is about Maverick finding someone who can help complete him, to steal a line from another Tom Cruise movie. Jennifer Connelly helps Top Gun: Maverick fly in more ways than one.

Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 original film starring Tom Cruise as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a top-tier pilot in the Navy. Thirty years after the original film's events, Maverick is asked to head up a section of the TOP GUN program to embark on a dangerous mission. Things become personal when the program includes the son of Maverick's late friend, forcing him to confront his past.

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Tom Cruise’s romance with much younger woman confirmed

Tom Cruise’s romance with a woman nearly half his age has been confirmed amid reports the Hollywood star and Russian socialite are “now an item”.

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Tom Cruise reportedly has a new girlfriend.

The Top Gun: Maverick star, 61, has been “growing closer” to Russian socialite Elsina Khayrova, 36, over the past couple of months and is now officially dating her, the Daily Mail reports.

“It’s well known within Elsina’s circle that she and Tom are now an item,” an insider told the outlet.

“They’ve grown very close over the past few weeks but take a lot of care not to be photographed together because they want to maintain their privacy,” the source continued.

“Tom has been staying the night at Elsina’s apartment, which as you can imagine, is a very beautiful place. They enjoy hanging out together and despite their wealth, do a lot of the things that normal couples do.”

The pair both attended a gala dinner in support of London’s Air Ambulance Charity, where Prince William was the guest of honour.

Though Cruise and Khayrova arrived separately, friends told the outlet that it’s not a surprise, as they’ve been spending most of their time behind closed doors at her multimillion-dollar apartment in Knightsbridge, London.

However, the pair have stepped out incognito for strolls through Hyde Park, sources claimed.

The two have also reportedly dined privately at several exclusive London restaurants.

Page Six contacted Cruise’s rep for comment but did not immediately hear back.

They were first romantically linked after reportedly canoodling at a party in London’s ritzy Mayfair neighbourhood in December.

“They were inseparable, clearly a couple. He seemed to be besotted with her,” an eyewitness told the Daily Mail at the time.

The Jack Reacher actor has previously said “I do” three times.

He was married to Mimi Rogers from 1987 to 1990, Nicole Kidman from 1990 to 2001 and Katie Holmes from 2006 to 2012.

Khayrova, for her part, split from ex-husband Dmitry Tsetkov in 2022.

The Russian oligarch, 43, spoke to the tabloid in December about their bitter three-year divorce battle, which he claims cost him more than $150 million.

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“Irrespective of whoever she’s with, Tom Cruise or anybody else, they should be aware that she likes the finer things in life and has expensive and luxurious taste. Tom should keep his eyes and wallet wide open,” he said.

He added, “I’m happy for her, I wish her all the best.”

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission .

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Home and Away favourite Ada Nicodemou has reportedly split from her partner after eight years of dating.

Kidman has a strained relationship with Cruse and the children they share together, and they were all absent from the glitzy event.

Selling The OC’s Alex Hall has ripped into Pitch Perfect star Brittany Snow for suggesting she had an affair with the actress’ now-ex-husband.

Jennifer Connelly Describes Her 'Magical' Experience Flying With Tom Cruise (Exclusive)

The 'Top Gun: Maverick' actress opened up to ET on Tuesday about her high-flying adventures with her pilot co-star.

Jennifer Connelly's experience shooting Top Gun: Maverick was filled with some high-flying adventure -- even if she didn't initially know it was going to be.

ET's Nischelle Turner sat down with Connelly during a press event on Tuesday, on board the famed USS Midway aircraft carrier, and the celebrated actress recalled how co-star Tom Cruise took her on a totally unexpected aerial thrill ride.

"Originally, I wasn't supposed to fly in the movie, because my character is not an aviator," explained Connelly, 51, who played Penny Benjamin, a single mother, bar owner and love interest to Cruise' titular Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. "So I had no scenes, no scripted scenes, in an airplane."

However, things changed when Connelly was "in the plane with him shooting a scene" that was originally supposed to take place on the tarmac.

"He said, 'So Jen, have you ever been in a P51 before?' And I said, 'No, I haven't. It just hasn't come up for me.' And he said, 'Have you ever done any aerobatic flying at all?' And I said, 'No, why? Is this going somewhere?'" Connelly recalled with a laugh. "He said, 'Well, it's just going to be very gentle, we're gonna do some gentle rolls,' and so that's how he broke it to be that we're going to be flying in that plane."

"But it was really the most extraordinary experience," she added. "He's an incredible pilot and it was pretty magical getting to do that."

As Maverick's romantic interest in the long-awaited sequel, Connelly and Cruise also share a scene on the back of a motorcycle that is a visual callback to one of the most famous images from the original film, featuring Cruise and Kelly McGillis.

"It was so much fun. It was, for me, one of those moments from the original movie that you remember, them by the beach, the beautiful light, and then there we were kind of paying homage to that sequence in our own version," Connelly reflected. "It was really fun and, again, just not something that comes up in my daily life, riding a motorcycle with Tom Cruise."

Top Gun: Maverick  hits theaters May 27.

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'Top Gun: Maverick': Behind the Scenes of the Long-Awaited Sequel

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Jennifer Connelly Is 'Ready' to Film Top Gun 3 with Tom Cruise: 'I'll Be There'

The actress also noted that she hasn't "seen anything" yet when it comes to 'Top Gun 3,' though she's discussed it with director Joseph Kosinski

Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Courtesy of Everett

Jennifer Connelly would love to return to the world of Top Gun again.

The Snowpiercer actress, 53, revealed in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight that if she got the call to do a third movie in the popular franchise, she’d do it in a heartbeat. 

"I'll be there. I'm ready," Connelly told the outlet. 

She also pointed to her positive experience filming Top Gun: Maverick as the reason why she would return to the film series, saying, "We had such a great time shooting it. It was fun."

Samir Hussein/WireImage

Despite her enthusiasm for the potential project, the actress noted that she hasn’t been privy to “anything” in the works yet. 

"I haven't seen anything," she said. "I had a casual chat with my friend, Joe Kosinski, who directed it, who I worked with twice now. I'm his biggest fan. I think he's so great. [I talked to him] about the possibility of it, but I don't know anything concrete."

Her comments come a month after Jerry Bruckheimer , the producer behind both Top Gun movies, confirmed to PEOPLE "we're working on" Top Gun 3 .

"We pitched Tom [Cruise] a story he liked. But he's a very in-demand actor and he's got a lot of movies lined up, so we have to wait and see," Bruckheimer, 80, shared of the potential for a third installment.

He noted that part of what makes the Mission Impossible actor, 61, so popular is his work ethic, saying, "A lot of actors, they finish the day, they get in their car and they go home. Tom stays around, talks to the other actors, looks at the film that they shot, wants to know what's happening tomorrow. He's really engaged in every part of the process."

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Reports initially circulated in January that a third installment of the Top Gun movie franchise was in the works. The Hollywood Reporter reported that the film’s co-writer Ehren Kruger had been writing a script for the film and that Kosinski would be tapped once again to direct.

Miles Teller , who plays Lt. Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw in the film series, teased in July 2022 that he and Cruise had "been having some conversations" about the possibility of another movie . Though the actor, 36, noted at the time, "It's all up to Tom.”

He and costar Glen Powell , 35, both shared that they would be open to returning to the franchise again as well. 

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Everything the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Cast and Crew Have Said About a Potential Sequel

A Top Gun: Maverick sequel hasn’t yet been announced, but both the film’s fans and cast are ready for another round in the danger zone.

“My whole cast, we would all be there in a heartbeat,” Jay Ellis , who played Reuben “Payback” Fitch in the hit movie, told Fox News Digital in November 2022. “We would be grateful to be there.”

Released in May 2022, the action drama followed Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell ( Tom Cruise ) as he recruited and trained a new generation of fighter pilots for a specialized mission. In development since 2010, the movie’s lengthy production process paid off when it became the second-highest-grossing film of 2022 and the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s entire career.

In addition to Ellis, Maverick featured Glen Powell , Miles Teller , Lewis Pullman , Monica Barbaro , Danny Ramirez , Manny Jacinto and Greg Tarzan Davis as some of the recruits vying for a spot on Mitchell’s team. Pullman, for his part, said that watching Cruise in action was one of the best parts about working on the movie.

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“I had to just transform into a sponge and just absorb, absorb, absorb because it was a new lesson every day,” Pullman exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2022. “I’ve never seen anyone approach filmmaking the way he does, and I’ve also never seen someone that far into their career who still has such drive, has such curiosity, has such passion, has such a reluctance to settle, is always trying to make even the smallest scenes better.”

Keep scrolling to see what the cast and crew of Top Gun: Maverick have said about a potential sequel:

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures

Everything the 'Top Gun: Maverick' Cast and Crew Have Said About a Potential Sequel

A Top Gun: Maverick sequel hasn't yet been announced, but both the film’s fans and cast are ready for another round in the danger zone. "My whole cast, we would all be there in a heartbeat," Jay Ellis , who played Reuben "Payback" Fitch in the hit movie, told Fox News Digital in November 2022. "We would be grateful to be there." Released in May 2022, the action drama followed Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell ( Tom Cruise ) as he recruited and trained a new generation of fighter pilots for a specialized mission. In development since 2010, the movie’s lengthy production process paid off when it became the second-highest-grossing film of 2022 and the highest-grossing film of Cruise's entire career. In addition to Ellis, Maverick featured Glen Powell , Miles Teller , Lewis Pullman , Monica Barbaro , Danny Ramirez , Manny Jacinto and Greg Tarzan Davis as some of the recruits vying for a spot on Mitchell's team. Pullman, for his part, said that watching Cruise in action was one of the best parts about working on the movie. “I had to just transform into a sponge and just absorb, absorb, absorb because it was a new lesson every day," Pullman exclusively told Us Weekly in June 2022. “I’ve never seen anyone approach filmmaking the way he does, and I’ve also never seen someone that far into their career who still has such drive, has such curiosity, has such passion, has such a reluctance to settle, is always trying to make even the smallest scenes better." Keep scrolling to see what the cast and crew of Top Gun: Maverick have said about a potential sequel:

Credit: Scott Garfield/Paramount Pictures/Paramount+

Jennifer Connelly

“I’ll be there. I’m ready,” Connelly told Entertainment Tonight of returning for a potential sequel in April 2024. “We had such a great time shooting it. It was fun.”

She also told the outlet that although she hasn’t seen a script for Top Gun: Maverick 2 , she has had conversations about it with Kosinski. “I'm his biggest fan. I think he's so great,” Connelly told the outlet. “[I talked to him] about the possibility of it, but I don't know anything concrete.”

Credit: Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Miles Teller

The Whiplash actor said all decisions about a sequel are for Cruise to make. "That would be great, but that's all up to TC," he told Entertainment Tonight in July 2022. "It's all up to Tom. I've been having some conversations with him about it. We'll see."

Credit: AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Glen Powell

"Above my pay grade!" the Scream Queens alum told Variety in January 2023 when asked if a sequel is happening. "It feels like it's less vague than it was at one point, so we'll see."

In October 2022, the former Insecure star told People he hadn't heard anything about a sequel, adding that he'd sign on if given the chance. “I mean, we would all love to work together. We’d love to do it again. We’d love to be with Tom again," he explained. "If we’re lucky enough to do it again, I’m sure every single one of us would be there.”

Credit: Jim Ruymen/UPI/Shutterstock

Jerry Bruckheimer

The producer said he wouldn't think about Top Gun 3 until Cruise is finished with his Mission: Impossible commitments. "He's in the middle of shooting Mission: Impossible , he's got a lot of very difficult, hard stunts he's doing," Bruckheimer told Variety in January 2023. "It's not the time to take attention away from what's important to him right now."

Credit: Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Joseph Kosinski

The Maverick director said that a third film depends on finding another story worth telling. “Is there another story that is compelling enough that we need to go back?” he told Deadline in December 2022. “It seems to me at the end of this film that Maverick has some gas left in the tank. He’s not settling down.”

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Jennifer Connelly Eagerly Anticipates ‘Top Gun 3’: ‘I’m Ready,’ She Confirms

T he anticipation for the sequel to “Top Gun: Maverick” is palpable as Jennifer Connelly, who portrayed Penny in the second installment, expresses her readiness to return for a potential third movie. Speaking to ET’s Nischelle Turner at the premiere of “Dark Matter” in Los Angeles, Connelly exudes enthusiasm about the prospect of reuniting with the cast and crew of the iconic franchise.

Connelly’s eagerness to reprise her role underscores the camaraderie and joy she experienced while filming “Top Gun: Maverick.” Reflecting on her time on set, she recalls the sense of camaraderie and adventure that permeated the production, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Despite her enthusiasm, Connelly admits to not having seen a script for the third film yet. However, she remains optimistic about the project, citing her admiration for director Joe Kosinski and her willingness to collaborate with the talented team behind the franchise.

Connelly’s remarks follow earlier reports indicating that “Top Gun 3” is indeed in development, with Tom Cruise, Glen Powell, and Miles Teller rumored to return to the fold. While details remain scarce, Connelly’s confirmation adds to the growing anticipation among fans eager to see the beloved franchise continue its legacy.

In the meantime, Connelly is busy promoting her latest project, the Apple TV+ series “Dark Matter,” which is based on Blake Crouch’s acclaimed sci-fi novel of the same name. Emphasizing her commitment to the adaptation, Connelly highlights Crouch’s involvement in the series as a reassuring factor for fans of the book.

As she immerses herself in the world of “Dark Matter,” Connelly draws inspiration from the source material, leveraging Crouch’s insights to inform her portrayal of her character. With the show poised to captivate audiences with its compelling narrative and intricate world-building, Connelly remains dedicated to honoring Crouch’s vision while bringing her own unique perspective to the role.

In closing, Connelly’s willingness to embrace both familiar and new challenges speaks to her versatility as an actress and her passion for storytelling. Whether she’s soaring through the skies in a fighter jet or delving into the mysteries of the universe, Connelly’s talent and dedication continue to captivate audiences and cement her status as a beloved figure in Hollywood.

The buzz surrounding the sequel to “Top Gun: Maverick” is tangible, and Jennifer Connelly, who portrayed Penny in the second installment, is ready to dive back into the iconic franchise for a potential third movie. Speaking with ET’s Nischelle Turner at the premiere of “Dark Matter” in Los Angeles, Connelly exudes excitement about the possibility of reuniting with the cast and crew of the beloved series.

Connelly’s enthusiasm for returning to the “Top Gun” universe is palpable as she reminisces about the camaraderie and thrill of filming “Top Gun: Maverick.” She fondly recalls the sense of adventure and collaboration that defined the production, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

Despite her eagerness, Connelly acknowledges that she hasn’t yet seen a script for the third film. However, she remains optimistic about the project, expressing her admiration for director Joe Kosinski and her willingness to collaborate with the talented team behind the franchise.

Connelly’s confirmation of her interest in “Top Gun 3” comes on the heels of earlier reports suggesting that the project is indeed in development, with Tom Cruise, Glen Powell, and Miles Teller reportedly set to reprise their roles. While details about the plot remain under wraps, Connelly’s endorsement adds to the mounting anticipation among fans eager to see the iconic franchise continue its legacy on the big screen.

In the meantime, Connelly is busy promoting her latest endeavor, the Apple TV+ series “Dark Matter,” based on Blake Crouch’s acclaimed sci-fi novel. Emphasizing her commitment to the adaptation, Connelly highlights Crouch’s involvement in the series as a reassuring factor for fans of the book.

Connelly’s willingness to embrace both familiar and new challenges underscores her versatility as an actress and her passion for storytelling. Whether she’s navigating the high-stakes world of fighter jets or unraveling the mysteries of the universe, Connelly’s talent and dedication continue to captivate audiences and solidify her status as a beloved figure in Hollywood.

In conclusion, Connelly’s readiness to return to the “Top Gun” franchise coupled with her commitment to “Dark Matter” exemplifies her enduring appeal as a versatile performer. As she navigates the exciting worlds of both film and television, Connelly’s talent and enthusiasm promise to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

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Single Irina Shayk is ‘boyfriend shopping’ after Tom Brady fling: source

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Calling all eligible bachelors?

A source tells us Irina Shayk is looking to find a new man after her fling with NFL hunk Tom Brady fizzled.  

“She is shopping, but her dating pool is a tiny group of people,” says our source. “She needs famous, good looking and money. How many of those are there? Five, ten?” 

Oh, the problems of the rich and gorgeous!

We hear the Russian model is “looking in Europe and in the USA.” 

Our source suggested the newly single Tom Cruise as one possibility, after the “Top Gun” star recently split with Russian socialite Elsina Khayrova.

We hear Shayk, 38, who was recently on the cover of Vogue Italia, will attend the Met Gala , the so-called “Oscars of Fashion” thrown by Vogue and the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, on the first Monday in May.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by irina shayk (@irinashayk)

Shayk and her ex, Brady, 46, were first spotted together in August after Page Six exclusively reported that sparks flew for the supermodel when she met him at a starry wedding in Italy in June.

They were last seen together in mid-January at hotspot Fouquet’s in NYC.

But Page Six reported in September that the retired quarterback was playing the field , and that Shayk was also dating other people.

By late October, we were told that things had fizzled between them.

However, he and Shayk spent time together again in December during Art Basel Miami Beach. We also spotted Brady hanging out at a billionaire’s bash surrounded by women that same week.

Shayk has had a long on-again-off again relationship with her ex, Bradley Cooper, and the pair shares a daughter, 4.

Cooper is currently dating Gigi Hadid. 

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Tiffany Haddish Confesses She Wanted to Sleep With Henry Cavill Until She Met Him

Tiffany haddish shared that she had a huge crush on henry cavill, but when she met him, she found him to be a little too awkward, joking, "i should be talking to him about dungeons & dragons.".

Tiffany Haddish  found  Henry Cavill  a little less than super.

The  Girls Trip  star shared that she once lusted after the  Superman  actor, but her feelings quickly took a turn after she met the 40-year-old—which is something she's found with other celebrities.

"All the famous guys I used to think, 'Oh, I would love to do it to him,' I know them now and I'm like, 'No,'" she told the  Los Angeles Times  in an interview published May 2. "I used to really want Henry Cavill. I think he's so hot. But I met him and he was so awkward."

It was then that the comedian realized she wouldn't want to date him after all, adding, "It was like, 'This would be weird. I should be talking to him about Dungeons & Dragons. Maybe he'd be more comfortable.'"

Tiffany, 44, also joked "maybe he's just never had a Black woman be like, 'What's up? What's your credit score? Do you like spaghetti? I'll cook for you. Are you afraid of South Central or not?'"

But despite the awkwardness, she acknowledges that he's "still beautiful."

And while Henry found love and is  expecting a baby with Hollywood executive Natalie Viscuso , Tiffany is looking to break away from dating celebrities following her  split from  Common  in 2021 , telling the  LA Times  that she's using Bumble, but not the celebrity dating app Raya, to meet her match.

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Plus, Tiffany has a new dating policy: She'll only see the guy for nine months before she's out of there.

And what is Tiffany looking for in her next partner? As she's said in the past, she needs someone reliable and, preferably, clean.

"Good credit score because I need to know you're responsible," she explained on  Late Night With Seth Meyers  in 2022 . "You need to have good hygiene. That's really important to me. I can't stand bad breath or funky armpits."

And while Tiffany and Henry never came to be, there are plenty of stars who dated their celebrity crush. Keep reading to find out more.

Nowadays Machine Gun Kelly gets to go home with Megan Fox . But more than a decade ago, he had a poster of her on his bedroom wall . In an interview with former Cleveland high school classmate Wesley Lowery for GQ , the author noted MGK's early love for Fox, known then as the bombshell from the  Transformers films. "At least one classmate," Lowery wrote, "recalls him vowing he'd marry her one day."  As MGK  quipped , "So that's some full-circle s--t."

Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber

Hailey Bieber may just be the first Belieber.

 Hailey was just 12 when she met the then-14-year-old Justin when her dad Stephen Baldwin introduced them as the pop star was heading into an appearance. Oh yes, it was caught on camera in all its awkward pre-teen glory and you can see Hailey is clearly uncomfortable as she shook Justin's hand. A meet-cute for the ages? Maybe. Later, the two posed for a photo on the red carpet at the premiere of his biopic Never Say Never. ..with her father. Yes, that's right: Hailey was totally a fangirl.  From that point on, Hailey and Justin maintained a friendship before dating on and off for several years and then jumping right into tying the knot in September 2018.

Team Pacey FTW! The Queen and Slim actress revealed to W Magazine in January 2020 that she first fell for her now-estranged husband on his hit teen drama Dawson's Creek .

"It was Pacey from Dawson's Creek !" she shared about her first crush . "I was a very young teenager. And now we are a couple."  After that, Turner-Smith playfully ribbed Jackson by wearing a t-shirt with Pacey on it and singing the iconic WB series' theme song in an Instagram Story. She clearly didn't want to wait to share her fandom with him. And though the parents ultimately called it quits, they tried to make their relationship work for the long-haul. "Sometimes things we really want to work just don't end up working," she told the  Sunday Times  in an interview published Feb. 25 . "And that's OK. The most important thing is that you choose what's healthiest for you and your family and definitely your children." 

Clearly, Joe Jonas was House Stark.  Like many Game of Thrones viewers, the singer was a fan of Sansa, so much so that he eventually slid into Sophie Turner 's DMs in 2016. "We had a lot of mutual friends, and they'd been trying to introduce us for a long time," Turner revealed to Harper's Bazaar in 2019. "We were following each other on Instagram and he direct-messaged me one fine day, out of the blue." And when the HBO hit wrapped its eight-season run, Jonas thanked the series for " introducing me to the incredible @sophiet...long live the QUEEN OF THE MF NORTH." Alas, winter arrived. In Sept. 2023, after four years of marriage, the parents of two announced their divorce .

Six years before they were spotted together, the actress revealed in an interview that she was a big fan of the comedian. "We were at a wedding together and I was like, 'Oh my gosh, do you and your fiancée want to go have dinner or something and go hang out?" the actress recalled to HuffPost Live in 2015. "At first it was cool, and then I kept going up to him at the wedding, like, 'So you having fun?'" She continued, "I was just so obsessed with hanging out with and talking with him." Munn then said she emailed him afterward but never heard back, joking, "I might've got the wrong email...that's what I tell myself." Eventually, she got a message back—and more. In 2021, she gave birth to their son Malcolm .

When the comedian took part in a Zoom Q&A with Marquette University students in 2021, he was asked to name his celebrity crush . As he replied with a cheeky smile about his then-girlfriend, "I'm with my celebrity crush."

Well before TomKat became a pop culture sensation, Katie Holmes was a massive fan of the Top Gun star. In October 2004, the Dawson's Creek star gushed to Seventeen magazine, "I think every little girl dreams about her wedding. I used to think I was going to marry Tom Cruise ." Holmes' former costar Mary Beth Peil also weighed in on the star's massive crush on Cruise, telling The Daily Beast in 2018, "She said, 'I have had a crush on him since I was 15, and his posters were on the walls of my bedroom.' She could not stop talking about Tom Cruise. This was way before they got together, but she was certainly ready for him." Holmes fulfilled her childhood fantasy in November 2006, marrying Cruise in a lavish Italian ceremony seven months after welcoming their daughter Suri Cruise . The  couple ultimately divorced in 2012.

No rose needed! When Wells Adam s was one of the men vying for JoJo Fletcher 's heart on  The Bachelorette , the Modern Family star made it clear that she thought he was attractive, tweeting, "Ugh! @WellsAdams making a Lord of the Flies reference on men tell all??? #knewhewasthebestfromthestart #menwhoreadarehot." Hyland once again proved she was a fan of the radio personality when she learned he would be joining Bachelor spinoff Bachelor in Paradise , once again taking to Twitter to gush, "OH MY GOD @WellsAdams IS THE FRIKKIN BARTENDER?! Best. Season. Ever." That's when the back-and-forth between the now-married pair began, with Adams responding, "Taking applications for #BIP5 bar backs now. Please send references..Preferably from Phil Dunphy. I'm kidding the job is yours @Sarah_Hyland." 

Twenty-one years before they began dating in 2017 ( and well before they officially broke up in 2021 ), the former Yankees player revealed J.Lo was his "dream date," with the third baseman telling an interviewer, "Hopefully you can find me a date with her." A-Rod reposted the clip to his Instagram feed in 2019, captioning the moment, "I just had a feeling," along with the crying/laughter emoji. Lopez responded by adding three black hearts and writing, "OMG…I love this too much."

When Payne was just 14 years old, he auditioned for The X-Factor in front of Cole years. "I always, always had a crush on her," the One Direction alum told The Sun in 2017. "I got back to school the next day and when my friends saw it they were literally ripping the piss out of me." Payne and Cole began dating in 2016, welcoming their son Bear the following year . The pair broke up in 2018.

The Game of Thrones star had considered The Cosby Show alum the moon of his life for years before they got together. In a 2019 interview with Esquire , Momoa revealed that his then-wife was "literally my childhood crush." Of their relationship, the Aquaman actor said, "If someone says something isn't possible... I'm like, 'Listen here, I married Lisa Bonet. Anything is f--king possible.'" Together for a decade before marrying in 2017, they ultmately announced their split in 2022 .

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