WTF Happened to TOP GUN (1986)?

Tony Scott’s 1986 classic Top Gun is a definitive movie for its superstar lead, Tom Cruise. While he’s had (arguably) the best run of any movie star on the planet, Top Gun’s lead, Maverick, remains the part many of his fans identify him the most with. It took thirty-six years, but Cruise finally has a sequel ready with Top Gun: Maverick and the reviews so far have been outstanding. But, in a bittersweet twist, two of the men who made the film such a smash have since passed away. Uber-producer Don Simpson died in 1996, while Tony Scott died a decade ago, in 2012.

In this episode of WTF Happened to this Movie, we dig into the history behind Top Gun, including how Cruise was cast and his tense relationship with leading lady Kelly McGills and friendly adversary Val Kilmer. We also get into the real-life training many of the actors playing pilots had to undergo, including Anthony Edwards, who played the loyal but doomed Goose. And, of course, we dig into that iconic soundtrack, which included Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone, Berlin’s Take My Breath Away and composer Harold Faltermeyer’s Top Gun Anthem. All of these elements made this the classic it is today, as we reveal in WTF Happened to Top Gun!

#TopGun #TomCruise #WTFHappenedToThisMovie

[henrytsai]

The navy basically pitched in their pilots during the filming and asked the producer to pay for the jet fuel only. What a deal! 'Top gun' film turned out to be the biggest recruiting tool for the navy for decades.

[WarHoover]

Took my first date to see Top Gun in the theater back in junior high school. 11 years later, I made my first carrier landing.

So yeah, I guess the recruiting worked. ZERO regrets!

[trinaq]

"I feel the need... The need for speed." This is definitely one of Tom Cruise's best movies, and Maverick and Goose's bromance is so touching.

[makatron]

I still watch it at least once a year, that soundtrack is a masterpiece.

[Jhayzer]

The opening scene of this film is a cinematic masterpiece. 👌

[markgundle]

Fun fact about the guy buzzing the tower; he knew it was a move that would otherwise ground him for life, so he planned to milk it for all it was worth and fucked up at least two takes before getting it done.

[bramblehollow]

Great job as usual. I'll never forget seeing it in the theater, and burning out my parking brake on my 1973 Maverick with a 302 under the hood, screaming through Patapsco State Park on Rte 40 with my little brother. We were just high on adrenaline, the music, and the summer night.

[NickLoecke]

We just watched this last night with our 16 year old son. It had been a long time since I saw it, and I forgot how good it really is.

[grapeshot]

I remember sitting in the movie theater and the movie theater going silent when Goose was killed.

[jackhackett]

I was 7 when this was released and my older brother had the cassette of the soundtrack. "Highway to the Danger Zone" was the first song on side A, and I don't know how many times we listened to the intro, rewind, listen to the intro, rewind, and so on. Funny to think about now, but shit was badass then

[Alexvander]

The soundtrack was absolutely instrumental to this movie's success. I remember hearing Danger Zone for the first time as a kid and could not get it out of my head.

[fredlandry]

One of my favorite films ever, I rode my bike to the theater when I was 16 to see this.

[beekarinsaan]

They don't make opening scenes like this anymore. One of the best opening scenes of all time.

[charlcoetzee]

I was a very hyperactive child so my grandad sat me down one day and put topgun on. I've now watched that movie in excess of 1000 time and know every sound effects and word in that entire movie 🤦🏻‍♂️🤣🤣

[supermodestmouse]

I watched top gun with my older cousin when I was a kid on VHS. I was always enamored by jets and military hardware. We watched that movie so many times, I swear we could recite it by heart. 20 years later, I joined the Air Force. I knew I wasn't going to be a pilot, but I worked right along side of them. Still love military aviation. Also love that you can see so many San Diego landmarks in the movie.

Ps. Saw the advanced screening last night for top gun: Maverick and loved it. It hit the member berries just right but also continued in the tradition of the first.

[haroldedmunds]

So true. Most movies need a good love story to work. Top Gun is an excellent movie. I have seen it at least 7 times. It's about friendship, love and the desire to be the best. I love Tom Cruise. The cast was excellent. This film is a classic. The direction and soundtrack were great!!

[Matt_Bright_]

I absolutely adore this movie. Sure it's seems kinda corny and cliché, but you have to remember it was made during the time that all these clichés were invented so it felt a lot more fresh at the time. I watch it at least once a year in my home movie rotation and I can't wait to see Maverick as I hear it's a pretty good sequel

[FlorisYoung]

One of my favorite movies of all time, it takes my breath away

[Vaporvice]

My 3rd favorite film of all time. Can't even remember the first time I saw it (I was 2 upon its initial release). Thanks for the birthday gift guys!!

[RTTGunsGear]

Easily in my top 5 favorite movies of all time and a movie that I credit for me joining the Navy a decade later.