Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski explains the real-world dynamics that made the scene between Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer’s Iceman so emotional. Released more than 35 years after Tony Scott’s original Top Gun, Kosinski’s sequel sees Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell return to the titular Navy training program as an instructor.
Tasked with preparing a new batch of recruits for a dangerous mission over enemy territory, Maverick butts heads with Rooster (Miles Teller), Goose’s son, while also struggling to make a team out of the new recruits. The film was met with enthusiastic praise from audiences and critics alike, with many singling out the scene between Maverick and Iceman as a particular highlight.
Struggling with how to connect to Rooster, Cruise’s character visits Iceman in one of Top Gun: Maverick’s most emotional moments. In a parallel to Kilmer’s own life, Iceman is suffering from throat cancer in the film, communicating with Maverick through a computer until he eventually speaks a few words of wisdom aloud. In a recent interview with Total Film (via GamesRadar), Kosinski reflects on filming the scene and explains why it’s especially emotional.
“It was certainly one of the most memorable days for me. Val Kilmer’s someone I’ve always admired and Tom [Cruise] has obviously known him since working together on Top Gun. The respect these two men have for each other is evident. The emotions happening in that scene are, I think, very real, very grounded. It wasn’t a scene that took a lot of takes. They were both just right in it from the beginning.”
Will Tom Cruise’s Maverick Return For Another Top Gun Movie?
After meeting with Maverick, one of the saddest moments in Top Gun: Maverick is when it’s revealed that Iceman has succumbed to his illness. While Kilmer’s character won’t be returning for a prospective third film in the franchise, it’s less clear whether Cruise’s hotshot pilot will be making a comeback. With Top Gun: Maverick’s impressive box office performance and critical acclaim, a sequel has been top of mind for many fans, but there’s been no concrete word one way or another regarding whether a third film will actually happen. While some of the new cast members like Teller seem open to the idea, it’s been expressed that a sequel is essentially up to Cruise at this point.
Unfortunately, Cruise has a very busy few years ahead of him and it’s not clear when he’ll have time to return to the world of Top Gun. In addition to finishing up the final two Mission: Impossible movies, the actor is also slated to film a movie in outer space with director Doug Liman, which will be the first of its kind. Cruise is currently 60 years old, meaning, the circumstances of his return for a prospective Top Gun 3 could be very different depending on when and if the movie gets the green light.
At a certain point, for example, it just won’t be believable to see the actor taking on death-defying aerial stunts alongside other pilots in their 20s and 30s. Maverick could, however, return in more of a supporting capacity much like Iceman did, serving as a source of wisdom for the younger pilots.
It remains to be seen if Top Gun 3 will get the green light, but it’s hard to imagine a future for the franchise without Cruise’s involvement in one form or another. Even if a third movie never comes to fruition, Cruise’s pilot does get a very satisfying and uplifting conclusion in Top Gun: Maverick, which could serve as a strong farewell to the character. If a third movie does happen, however, it will be tough to capture the same emotion with Kilmer’s Iceman no longer around.