Top Gun: Maverick director opens up about Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer reunion scene; calls it ‘emotional’

Top Gun: Maverick was released in theatres around the world after over 30 years of wait. The movie’s director has now opened up about the scene where Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer reunite, calling it emotional. 

“They’re just two actors at the top of their game doing this really beautiful scene for the film that’s so important. It was just a very emotional day on set … it’s not often you get to do a scene with that much kind of emotional weight in a summer tentpole film,” said edirector Joseph Kosins. 

The director also said that the competition between the two characters, that made them so popular following the original movie, was still there and that the hug and the humour towards the end of the scene is what really makes the scene work. 

While Cruise returns as Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, Kilmer reprises his role as Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, who is now an admiral. The scene reveals that Iceman has been haunted by throat cancer and has a hard time speaking. The emotional weight the scene carries comes from the fact that actor Val Kilmer was also diagnosed with throat cancer a few years ago. 

The movie follows Maverick back to Top Gun, returning as an instructor tasked to get a team of elite pilots ready for a mission. The movie received rave reviews from critics from around the world. 

“While the filmmaking takes the viewers right into the world of fast-flying jets, the writing is able to give the movie a certain emotional core that cannot be replaced. A fitting sequel to a movie that still lives in our hearts even after over 30 years.” read the movie’s review on OTTplay. 

Top Gun: Maverick also stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman and Ed Harris in important roles.