'Top Gun: Maverick' sees Tom Cruise back after 33 years, here's a look at what the original cast have been up to
Tom Cruise is all set to unleash his power-packed performance on screen in 'Top Gun: Maverick', the sequel of the 1986 action-drama 'Top Gun'. As the actor unveiled the trailer of the film after crashing the 'Terminator: Dark Fate' panel at the San Diego Comic-Con 2019, fans are thrilled and can't wait for the release. One of the biggest hits of the 1980s, it garnered a staggering response and earned $356 million against a production budget of only $15 million.
The high-flying trailer takes viewers down memory lane with a sequence featuring Cruise racing an aircraft on a motorbike. Cruise, who reprises the lead character Maverick even went on to call it "a love letter to aviation" on Conan O'Brien's show. It's been 33 long years and now that the sequel is finally set to release, here's what the stars of the original film are up to.
Tom Cruise
In the original movie, Cruise played the role of LT Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. In 1986, when the movie first released, the actor was yet to become the huge star he is now. In 1988, he starred in the film 'Rain Man' and the next year, he portrayed real-life paralyzed Vietnam War veteran Ron Kovic in 1989's 'Born on the Fourth of July'. The role earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor - Motion Picture Drama, a nomination for BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and even the Best Actor Academy Award nomination.
With films like 'Days of Thunder' (1990), 'Far and Away' (1992), 'Interview with the Vampire' (1994) and the 'Mission: Impossible' series, he gained worldwide popularity and rose to stardom like never before. He was last seen as Ethan Hunt in 'Mission: Impossible – Fallout' (2018), the sixth film in the franchise.
Val Kilmer
The actor, who is all set to reprise the role of Tom "Iceman" Kazansky again in the sequel was seen in a string of films all these years. He starred in the fantasy film 'Willow' (1988), 'Tombstone' (1993), 'The Doors' (1991), 'Heat' (1995) and was seen as Bruce Wayne/Batman in 'Batman Forever' (1995). Kilmer last appeared in the 2017 film, 'The Snowman', opposite Michael Fassbender and Rebecca Ferguson.
Tim Robbins
Seen as Sam "Merlin" Wells, he is best known for his portrayal of Andy Dufresne in the prison drama film 'The Shawshank Redemption' (1994). Later, he played Nuke LaLoosh in 'Bull Durham' (1988), Jacob Singer in 'Jacob's Ladder' (1990), Griffin Mill in 'The Player' (1992), and Dave Boyle in 'Mystic River' (2003), for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Not just acting, Robbins also made his mark as a filmmaker. He directed the films 'Bob Roberts' (1992) and 'Dead Man Walking' (1995), which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director.
Kelly McGillis
McGillis played the role of Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood based on a real-life person, Christine Fox, who worked at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The actress was seen in 'Winter People' (1989), 'The Babe' (1992) and North (1994). She came back to television in 2007 when she joined the cast of Showtime's 'The L Word' for its fifth season and was last seen in 'Mother of All Secrets' (2017) as the lead character Rose Lewis.
Anthony Edwards
Edwards played the role of Cruise's best friend Nick "Goose" Bradshaw in the film. While he lost his life in the first part, his son will be seen playing a pivotal role in the sequel. The actor is most widely known for his role as Dr. Mark Greene on the first eight seasons of 'ER', for which he received a Golden Globe award and six Screen Actors Guild Awards, and was nominated for four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards. He has also been seen in television shows like 'Zero Hour', 'Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders' and 'Designated Survivor'.
John Stockwell
Stockwell played the role of Bill "Cougar" Cortell in 'Top Gun'. While he began his career as an international model, he was seen in guest appearances on 'The Young Riders' and 'Friday the 13th: The Series'. Later, he also directed movies like 'Cheaters' (2000), 'Crazy/Beautiful' (2001), 'Blue Crush' (2002), 'Into the Blue' (2005), 'Turistas' (2006) and 'Heart' (2009) and wrote the screenplay for the 2001 film 'Rock Star'.
Barry Tubb
Tubb was seen in the role of Henry "Wolfman" Ruth in the movie. Two years after the release of 'Top Gun', he co-starred with Mary Tyler Moore and Lynn Redgrave in the Broadway production of 'Sweet Sue' in which he appeared nude. Later, in 2002, Tubb directed the family film 'Grand Champion'.
Rick Rossovich
After playing the role of Ron "Slider" Kerner in 'Top Gun', he was seen in 'Roxanne' (1987) and 'Navy SEALS' (1990). He also has a few television series like 'Pacific Blue', 'ER', 'Black Scorpion' and 'Sons and Daughters' to his credit.
Meg Ryan
The actress, who played the role of Carole Bradshaw in the film, has played pivotal roles in films like 'Sleepless in Seattle' (1993), 'French Kiss' (1995), 'You've Got Mail' (1998), 'The Doors' (1991), 'When a Man Loves a Woman' (1994), 'Courage Under Fire' (1996), 'Addicted to Love' (1997), 'City of Angels' (1998), 'Proof of Life' (2000) and 'The Women' (2008).
James Tolkan
The actor, who played Tom "Stinger" Jordan in the film is best known for his role in 'Back to the Future' series as the strict Hill Valley High School assistant principal, Stanford S. Strickland. He has also made an appearance on television series like 'Naked City', 'Remington Steele' and 'Miami Vice'.