After Covid delays and Tom Cruise’s refusal to release the film on a streaming device, Top Gun: Maverick finally lands in theaters.
Alongside Cruise, the film stars a handful of young Hollywood hotshots like Miles Teller, Jay Ellis and Austin native Glen Powell. The Westwood High School grad originally auditioned for the role of Rooster, son of Goose (Anthony Edwards), but eventually lost the role to Teller. However, the filmmakers were so impressed by Powell that they found a different role for him. Apparently it was supposed to be a minor one but was made into a more substantial part just for Powell.
That’s the not the only connection to the ATX. Jon Hamm plays an Admiral in the film. He attended University of Texas in 1989 but transferred to University of Missouri after he was apparently arrested for hazing. Fellow UT alum Even Rachel Winfree plays a waitress in the film. And while he may not be from Austin, Val Kilmer has a lot of ties to the ATX. Learn more about that here.
Wondering if Top Gun: Maverick is worth a watch?
Spill the aTx contributor Melanie Cleveland got a sneak peak at the action packed thriller. Here’s what she had to say.
It’s been a minute …but the sequel is finally here and better than the original! A must see summer blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick is packed with sensational action, good humor, one liners and some real emotional moments. The cinematography is breathtaking, the aerial scenes are worth every eardrum bursting sonic boom and the airplane stunts are nothing short of miraculous. You really feel like you are in the cockpit for those dog fights.
– Spill the aTx Contributor Melanie Cleveland
But what did she think about Powell? “Our very own Austinite Glen Powell plays cocky cowboy hunk Hangman. His thousand kilowatt smile and one liners provide some of the best laugh out loud moments,” she said. “The beach football scene was sexy as heck and when Powell shouted ‘Alright, Alright,’ I couldn’t help but chuckle.” Sounds like there was one alright missing from that refrain but we’ll still take that as an homage to our favorite hometown actor. You know who we’re talking about.
Melanie’s only complaint about the film was this: “It was just too darn short because I loved it that much!”
Top Gun: Maverick is in theaters now! May we suggest seeing it at Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane where you can snap a pic of this larger than life mural by Austin artist Mike Johnston.
Photos via Skydance Media.
