Top Gun Marks 40th Anniversary

The film Top Gun, which premiered in 1986, is marking its 40th anniversary. The movie follows US Navy pilot Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, and was co-written by Jack Epps Jr. and Jim Cash, directed by Tony Scott, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Background

The project began in 1983 after producer Jerry Bruckheimer read a California magazine article titled "Top Guns" featuring F-14 fighter jets.

Bruckheimer and partner Don Simpson secured the rights and pitched the idea to Paramount. Screenwriters Cash and Epps developed the script.

Key Details

The film required real fighter jets. Epps and Cash insisted on using actual aircraft rather than special effects. This led to cooperation with the US Navy.

Epps underwent training, including ejection procedures and the "helo dunker" water survival test, and flew in an F-14 experiencing up to 6 Gs.

The character Maverick was conceived as a conflicted pilot to create internal drama, inspired by Epps observing real pilots' camaraderie.

The death of the character Goose midway through the film was intended to convey the sense of loss Epps observed among pilots discussing fallen friends from Vietnam.

Tom Cruise was the intended choice for Maverick. He agreed after flying with the Blue Angels demonstration squadron.

The film's editing by Tony Scott initially emphasized visual style. Bruckheimer and the editor worked to balance style with narrative.

An early test screening in Houston, after the Challenger space shuttle disaster, initially showed no audience reaction but later scored highly.

Top Gun earned $357 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1986.

Its soundtrack won an Oscar for Best Original Song for "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin.

The film has been criticized as jingoistic and a military recruitment tool. Epps countered that it honors service members.

A sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, was released in 2022, and a third film is in development.

Statements

Jack Epps Jr. stated that he and Cash wrote the script with Tom Cruise in mind.

Bruckheimer stated that Cruise was the hardest-working actor in Hollywood and that he ensures every detail is worked out.