Back in 1986, when the first Top Gun film was released, Tom Cruise was just 24 years old. On July 3, 1962, he entered the world in Syracuse, New York. This action flick got its start from an essay titled “Top Guns” by Ehud Yonay, which appeared in the May 1983 issue of California magazine.
Tom Cruise played Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a naval aviator for the United States navy. The character was loosely inspired by Duke Cunningham’s exploits in the Vietnam War.
Top Gun (the Naval Fighter Weapons School) was the main setting of the film. Tom Cruise portrays the adrenaline junkie Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, while Val Kilmer is Iceman and Anthony Edwards is Goose.
There was a lot of exciting action, some tragic deaths, and a few timeless tunes in this picture. Fans and critics alike praised his work in the picture, calling for more screenings in theaters and making him a household name. This article will cover everything about how old was Tom Cruise in top gun.
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How was Tom Cruise’s First Leg of His Career?
To pursue an acting career, Cruise traveled to New York in 1980 at the age of 18, with the approval of her mother and stepfather. He had previously worked as a waiter in New York before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue acting opportunities in film and television.
He signed with CAA, nevertheless, and soon found himself in film roles. First seen in a tiny part in Endless Love (1981), he went on to play a pivotal supporting role as a crazed military academy student in Taps (also 1981).
It was in 1983 when Cruise made his acting debut in the film The Outsiders. Appearing in the lead role of “All the Right Moves” and “Risky Business” in the same year was a career-altering project.
Though he had already established himself as a major celebrity by the time of 1985’s Legend, it wasn’t until 1986’s Top Gun that he truly became a household name. Here you will find out how old was Tom Cruise in top gun.
How Old Tom Cruise Is In Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun 2 was released nearly 36 years after the original film. The success of Top Gun: Maverick proved that Tom Cruise’s best days are not yet behind him. Top Gun: Maverick was released when the actor was 59 years old, and not a lot has changed since then.
To some extent, Cruise identifies with the role of adrenaline junkie he plays in the film. He sometimes performs his own risky exploits in films. The movie required him to drive actual helicopters and combat jets, and he has had his pilot’s license since 1994. Tom Cruise obviously enjoys both acting and action.
Since he was 18 years old, he has been committed to his career, culminating in the success of Top Gun. Even after all these years, the actor shows no signs of retiring. For the next two years, he will appear in two more Mission: Impossible films in which he reprises the role of top spy Ethan Hunt.
Why Did It Take So Long to Make Top Gun 2?
Since Top Gun’s first triumph in 1986, Tom Cruise and the film’s producers have been discussing the possibility of making a sequel. Unfortunately, they were unsuccessful, and it took another 36 years until Top Gun 2 was released.
An important contributing factor was the tailhook affair, in which one hundred aviators in the Navy and Marine Corps were accused of sexually abusing and harassing female colleagues. Because of this, the Navy’s reputation took a knock, and no filmmaker dared try to repair it in a film.
Another reason Top Gun 2 took so long to make was because its director, Tony Scott, committed suicide in 2012. Because of this, it took a long time to find and hire Joseph Kosinski as the film’s new director.
Tom Cruise has stated that Top Gun 2 was in production for a total of 36 years because the team was so dedicated to creating the greatest film possible in terms of both the script and the cinematography.
Tom Cruise’s Age in Top Gun
When Tom Cruise starred as Maverick in “Top Gun,” he was 24 years old. The film was released in 1986, and Cruise was born on July 3, 1962. At the time, Cruise was a rising star in Hollywood, known for his roles in films like “Risky Business” (1983) and “All the Right Moves” (1983). “Top Gun” marked a pivotal moment in his career, solidifying his status as a leading man in the industry.
Preparing for the Role
To prepare for his role as a fighter pilot, Tom Cruise underwent intensive training, including flight lessons with the U.S. Navy’s elite Blue Angels aerial demonstration team. He spent time on aircraft carriers and immersed himself in the world of naval aviation.
Cruise’s dedication to realism and his determination to perform his own stunts, including high-speed aerial sequences, added to the film’s authenticity and adrenaline-pumping excitement.
“Top Gun” and Its Enduring Legacy
“Top Gun” was directed by Tony Scott and became a cultural phenomenon upon its release. The film’s high-octane action, memorable soundtrack featuring songs like “Danger Zone,” and Cruise’s charismatic portrayal of Maverick made it a box office sensation.
It remains a beloved classic among fans of action films and aviation enthusiasts. The film’s impact extended beyond the screen, as it inspired a generation of young people to pursue careers in aviation and the military.
The U.S. Navy reported a significant increase in recruitment applications following the film’s release, a phenomenon dubbed the “Top Gun effect.”
In 2020, the long-awaited sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick,” was set to continue Maverick’s story and introduce a new generation of fighter pilots. However, its release was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Conclusion
COVID-19 delayed the launching of Maverick from 2019 to 2022. Now that the picture is almost in cinemas, Cruise was not hesitant about chatting about it for a little longer during his latest appearance. There are only a few days left until the movie’s May 24 release date, and anticipation is high.
Even though Tom is now 59 years old, he was only 24 when the original Top Gun was released in 1986. It was, in fact, one of the films that catapulted Cruise to stardom. Hope now you are aware of how old was Tom Cruise in top gun.