Kelly McGillis' Brutally Honest Take On Her Top Gun: Maverick Exclusion

More than thirty years after the first "Top Gun" took the world by storm, "Top Gun: Maverick" is taking Tom Cruise back to the skies – and he's not alone.

While the critically-acclaimed sequel is bringing in many new faces, from a new generation of pilots to the military's top brass, it's also bringing in a new love interest for Maverick: Jennifer Connelly's Penny Benjamin. Now, fans are asking: what happened to Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood, the original love interest for the ace pilot?

If you're wondering where Charlie Blackwood is in the long awaited sequel, then you're going to want to hear Kelly McGillis' brutally honest take on her "Top Gun: Maverick" exclusion.

#Actor #KellyMcGillis #TopGun

[Looper]

Please Note: We called Goose Maverick's wingman in a more social context, not in aviation terms.

[daveumpref]

Two things… First, BRAVO!!!! Kelly’s stock just went up 100% with me. You know what, I love someone who’s self aware. No bitterness, no blaming and no trying to sabotage anyone else’s work. Second, she’s correct… Most people don’t have the same “love interest” as they did 30 years earlier. If they do, they are called a spouse. She’s a talented actress, who’s decided to leave that arena and move on. Athletes get past their prime and so did she and if she’s happy, let no one second guess her.

[garyleahy]

Her response was genuine and realistic. People move on with their lives and either can't or don't need to hang on to something that happened some 30 years ago. I'm happy for her.

[Caseylawton]

I think not bringing back Rooster's mom / having her pass away was very impactful in Rooster's character development and his relationship with Maverick. Maverick pulled Roosters papers at his mom's request. He could have easily told Rooster this after his mom passed. But chose to carry that burden with him so he wouldn't spite his dead mother. That's so much more powerful.

[Ryan-nobf]

I think it would be LESS realistic if they brought her back. Hot shot pilot meets a girl at a bar while on a training assignment and turns into a 30 year relationship? Doesn't seem like it fit Mavericks personality in the first movie to really be ready to settle down. Them being together still would be Hollywood forcing fairytale love stories.

[verticle]

She’s sane because she got out of Hollywood. She will always be the hot astrophysics engineer to those of us that were there to see her in all her glory. A woman like her, in a movie like the original TopGun, is an act that can never be followed. Period.

[johncarroll]

McGillis' response is awesome. What a class act. So many female actors attempt, in vain, to hold onto the beauty that only youth provides. She exhibits true beauty in her words and fantastic attitude towards the natural aging process. Bravo Kelly.

[drjethrowski]

"I'm old and I'm fat..."
Total respect for that woman! Thumbs up, Kelly.

[daveskura]

After hearing Kelly's comments I respect her a lot more. Classy, down to earth, the type of person I would like in real life. Seemingly nothing like the rest of hollywood. Great attitude Kelly!

[aikcastle]

You can never put a good person down. Her being asked if she was contacted to reprise her role was a trap. And because she is mature enough, she knows that she's past her glory days and that is quite genuine! She knew that these people want nothing else but to throw someone under the bus to stir some drama for the upcoming film! She went on with her life and she knows where she's at!

[cwb]

I love Kelly and her realistic honesty. She seems to be living a quiet, happy and content life far away from Hollywood.

[tjcarr]

Jennifer is not playing a “new love interest”. She’s playing an even older love interest than Charlie. Go back and watch the original when Goose mentioned Penny Benjamin!

[GodofWarChuka]

I just saw the New Top Gun yesterday. Phenomenal sequel! I’ll always love the first one though. One of my favorite movies from the 80’s 👍

[pishedbloke]

McGillis seems to be down-to-Earth as it gets. She is fantastic, as a person first, fills her life with gratitude and content. I truly respect that.

[stevebland]

"I live on top of a hill in a little log cabin in North Carolina." Good for her. The life a lot of us would like to have.

[butnot]

McGillis was super in "Witness" alongside Harrison Ford. Released one year before "Top Gun". When I think of her starring role, it would be in "Witness".

[timheavrin]

What a total class act Kelly McGillis is!

[shsreddevils]

Kelly: Your responsive honesty, core values and wholesome outlook in this interview made me love you even more.

[sohft]

I love Kelly's character, but any real fan of this movie would know that her and Maverick were going down separate paths in life. She stayed a little longer for the fling but it wasn't meant to last. Penny from the sequel is mentioned in Top Gun, lending credibility for Jennifer Connelly's character to take the place of love interest. Top Gun Maverick will go down as one of, and for some, THE best film sequel of all time.

[davidfrey]

Kelly chose the better life. The more important life. The more meaningful life.