It’s hardly surprise that many viewers questioned whether Tom Cruise actually fly in Top Gun: Maverick, considering the actor’s penchant for outrageous feats. With its triumph at the box office and nomination for Best Picture, Joseph Kosinski’s sequel to 1986’s Top Gun has eclipsed the original.
This is mostly due to the fact that the film gave physical effects more weight than computer-generated imagery, which made the airborne action more realistic. Although it’s no secret that Tom Cruise performs many of his own stunts, even by Cruise’s standards, some of the antics suggested for Top Gun: Maverick were a touch too ambitious.
Cruise only agreed to the project after being assured that computer-generated imagery would not be used for the effects. At first, Cruise had intended to pilot an actual Boeing F-18 combat plane since he was so ambitious. As a licensed pilot, Cruise is used to doing daring flying feats.
Many fans of Cruise would be aware that he did a lot of the more spectacular helicopter stunts in Mission: Impossible: Fallout (2018). But according to Bruckheimer, Cruise’s proposal to fly the Super Hornet—which costs more than $70 million—was eventually turned down by the US Navy.
Does Tom Cruise Pilot in Top Gun 2?
Although the Super Hornet fighter featured in the sequel, Tom Cruise did not pilot them in Top Gun: Maverick since Navy pilots helped with all of those scenes. Producer Bruckheimer claims that Cruise does pilot a P-51 fighter plane with propellers and a few helicopters. The action scenes are believable to even the most trained eye thanks to expert editing.
Although the actor has flown the supersonic military aircraft in Top Gun, there is no proof as to why the US Navy would have rejected Cruise’s desire to pilot a Super Hornet. The most reasonable explanation, though, would be insurance issues, which are always sufficient to deter performers from performing their own stunts.
About half of the $152 million budget for Top Gun: Maverick would go toward a real F-18 Super Hornet.
This is also influenced by the plane’s cost; an actual F-18 Super Hornet would account for about half of the $152 million budget for Top Gun: Maverick. The insurance for the movie would probably have logistical problems as a result.
Not to mention insurance for Cruise himself, who may lack the specialized training needed to operate the F-18 properly while already being a certified pilot.
Despite insurance concerns, civilians and/or military people on the ground may be in danger if a novice pilot like Cruise loses control of a fast-moving aircraft. Furthermore, the actual Navy pilots in Top Gun: Maverick added more than enough credibility to the sequel, even though Tom Cruise conducts his own stunts to great effect.
Why Does Tom Cruise Enjoy Performing His Own Acts?
Tom Cruise performs his own stunts for the straightforward reason that it’s the most effective approach to convey the story at hand. According to the actor, “It has to do with storytelling.” It enables us to install cameras in locations that are typically inaccessible.
The ability of the main actor to physically execute the character’s stunts does, in fact, eliminate the need for odd camera angles or editing techniques to make perilous situations seem authentic.
This eventually results in scenes that are more in line with the director, writer, and stunt coordinator’s vision and more fluid action scenes. Additionally, if Cruise risks his life for a dangerous stunt, everyone is more concerned in the outcome, including the audience and the film crew.
This adds a level of authenticity that is impossible to achieve in any other way. This amazing technique is also seen in the action-packed Mission Impossible franchise outside of the Top Gun series.
The Experienced Pilot Is Needed for the F/A-18 Super Hornet
The F/A-18 Super Hornets are not the type of aircraft that just anybody can hop in and take off, even if Tom Cruise did really fly several of the aircraft in Top Gun: Maverick, demonstrating his extraordinary flying abilities.
Because these aircraft are so powerful and dangerous, only highly skilled pilots are allowed to fly them. The plane’s remarkable capabilities include a top speed of 1,190 mph and the capacity to climb 45,000 feet per minute.
Such strength is required because the Super Hornets weigh 30,500 pounds empty and can weigh up to 66,000 pounds when fully loaded with weaponry.
Tom Cruise seems to be willing to do anything for his stunts, and it’s possible that he’ll get the training he needs to fly an aircraft like this. But even if he was passed up for that chance, the Super Hornets weren’t cheap.
According to a report by Bloomberg, the film paid more than $11,000 an hour to rent the Super Hornets from the U.S. Navy. But considering that Top Gun: Maverick exceeded box office projections, it appears that the cost was justified.
Safety Measures Used for Tom Cruise’s Performances
Even though Tom Cruise performs many of his own stunts, the production crew does not simply send him out and give him instructions. In the majority of his films, Cruise plays the lead role, so if he is injured—which has occurred before—it damages the movie and raises production costs significantly.
Like other stuntmen, Cruise has safeguards in place to keep him from suffering severe injuries. Rock climbing in Mission: Impossible II, where he was only restrained by a safety cable, was probably the riskiest stunt.
In Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Tom Cruise performed one of the most spectacular stunts, hanging on the outside of an Airbus 400 as it took flight. Even though it appeared risky, the producers took many precautions to keep him safe. Robert Elswit, director of photography, described how they protected Cruise (via THR):
“Tom was hooked and cabled to the aircraft through [its] door while wearing a full body harness. The cables that passed through the door were held in place by an aluminum truss that was meticulously fastened to the aircraft inside, and it held Tom.
The runway was meticulously cleaned to ensure that there were no rocks. And there were no birds when we took off under specific weather circumstances. Additionally, the way the air flows across the wing somewhat protects him.
Naturally, not all of the stunts were successful. Tom Cruise was supposed to jump from one high-rise to another in Mission: Impossible – Fallout. He was meant to strike the wall’s side after missing the landing.
But he shattered his foot on the landing after slipping. Even though he had two safety lines attached to prevent him from falling to his death, he shattered his foot, which was still healing when he went on the movie’s press tour.
Every project, including Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible, has precautions in place to ensure Tom Cruise’s safety.
Tom Cruise’s commitment to doing his own stunts gives his movies an unmatched degree of realism. His dedication is evident in everything he does, from flying airplanes to carrying out dangerous scenes. Do you want to get more involved in the action? For more exciting information on Hollywood’s most adventurous celebrities, visit our website!