Top 10 Top Gun Maverick Callbacks
Script written by Nick Spake
It's been an awfully long time since the first "Top Gun," but "Maverick" still makes a lot of great callbacks to it.For this list, we’ll be looking at characters, plot points, and other details that surface in “Top Gun: Maverick” almost 36 years after its predecessor. In case you haven’t seen either film, there will be a few spoilers. Out countdown includes the Admiral's daughter, Beach Sports, piano playing at a bar, and more! What’s YOUR favorite “Top Gun: Maverick” callback? Let us know in the comments.
#10: Return to the Danger Zone
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“Star Wars” has “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” “Top Gun” has its opening text about the origins of the Navy’s Fighter Weapons School. This unforgettable text commences “Top Gun: Maverick” along with Harold Faltermeyer’s signature theme. Speaking of music, the film launches us right back into the danger zone as Kenny Loggins chimes in with his soaring vocals. Although director Joseph Kosinski faithfully recreates the 1986 film’s opening credits, there are a few differences. Instead of A-6s and F-14s, F-18s and F-35s can be seen aboard aircraft carriers. The closing credits also pay homage to the original with the main cast members’ names accompanying clips. The credits even include a tribute to the legend behind the OG classic, Tony Scott.
#9: Maverick Reassigned
The original film kicks off with Tom Cruise’s Maverick and Anthony Edwards’ Goose feeling the brutal sting of CDR Stinger. The young pilots fear the worst as Stinger grills Goose for his mistakes and Maverick for his recklessness. To their surprise, Stringer informs them that they’re being sent to TOPGUN. The sequel mirrors this inciting incident as Maverick confronts Ed Harris’ Rear Admiral Hammer about his latest escapade. Although Maverick suspects his career is over, Hammer reluctantly tells him that he’s being reassigned to TOPGUN. Instead of a student, though, Maverick will be a flight instructor, which is what he aspired to become at the end of the first film. It took over three decades, but Maverick finally followed through with his teaching ambitions.
#8: Piano Playing at Bar
“Top Gun” is full of memorable musical moments, from “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” to “Great Balls of Fire.” During the performance of the latter song, Goose can be found at the piano with his young son sitting on the lid. That kid is all grown up in the sequel with Miles Teller filling the role. Rooster inherits his father’s love of planes, mustaches, aviator shades, Hawaiian shirts, and, of course, music. At a bar, Rooster brings everyone together as he plays a familiar tune on the piano. Although it’s a joyous moment for everyone else, it’s a devastating callback for Maverick, who’s reminded of his best friend’s death. Rooster is the spitting image of his father, which is what Maverick fears most.
#7: Don’t Have Time to Think Up There
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Giving his first lecture, Maverick tells his students that everything they’ve read in the manual can’t prepare them for what their special mission will bring. Maverick encourages the young pilots to act rather than think. Maverick’s lessons echo what he told Charlie in the original film: “You think, you’re dead.” His students take this gutsy philosophy to heart, but not in the way that Maverick anticipates. During the sequel’s climax, it appears Maverick’s goose is cooked when Rooster swoops in to save him. Initially, Maverick scorns Rooster for risking his life without taking the time to consider the consequences. As Rooster tells Maverick, though, he was just following his teachings: don’t think up there. Maverick can’t argue with that.
#6: The Admiral’s Daughter
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Kelly McGillis reportedly wasn’t invited to reprise her role as Charlie in the sequel. However, there’s still room for a romantic motorcycle ride with Jennifer Connelly’s Penny Benjamin. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Penny isn’t new to the series. Although this marks her onscreen debut, Penny has a subtle connection to the first film. As Stinger barks at Maverick, he lists off his history of careless stunts, one of which involved an admiral’s daughter. Goose whispers to him about Penny, but he gets cut off before Maverick can share any details. It might’ve started as a throwaway gag, but Penny is given a layered storyline here as Maverick reflects on the mistakes he made and how he can avoid breaking her heart again.
#5: Flying Maneuvers & Lingo
When “Top Gun” hit theaters, it delivered arguably cinema’s most impressive flight sequences at the time. “Top Gun: Maverick” ups the stunts and craftsmanship while also revisiting a few old tricks. This includes Maverick flying upside down and buzzing the tower. In one of the first film’s set pieces, Maverick’s brakes come in handy as he lets an enemy zoom past him. This maneuver resurfaces in the sequel along with the line, “break right.” The thumbs-up signal might not be exclusive to “Top Gun,” but it’s still a sign of comradery we associate with the film. As Maverick and Rooster attempt to blend in with an enemy pilot, they send a thumbs up. Unfortunately for them, the enemy uses a different signal.
#4: Goodbye, Goose
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Goose’s death is a pivotal moment in the original film, and this loss is felt throughout “Top Gun: Maverick.” Goose appears in various nostalgic photos along with Meg Ryan’s Carole, who also passed away between movies. The sequel briefly references the court scene where the board decided that Maverick wasn’t responsible for Goose’s demise. Maverick doesn’t see it that way, however. Although he gives Goose’s dog tags a sendoff at the end of the first film, Maverick is still holding on to his guilt. He’s also clinging to the fear that Rooster is bound to meet the same fate as his father. Goose’s death is the driving force behind the movie’s key themes of mortality, reconciliation, and looking to new horizons.
#3: Beach Sports
Few “Top Gun” moments are more iconic or infamous than the sweaty beach volleyball game. The scene has been parodied so many times that referencing it in the sequel could’ve fallen flat in so many ways. Yet, this callback is a highlight for all the right reasons. While volleyball is substituted with beach football, the callback fully embraces its roots. As Jon Hamm’s Cyclone stumbles upon the game, he repeats what many asked following the first film’s volleyball scene: what purpose does this serve? Maverick explains it’s to turn his class into a team, and even Cyclone can’t complain with the results. A lot of people have written the volleyball scene off as pointless, but perhaps there was more going on beneath the shirtless surface.
#2: Rivals Become Wingmen
“Top Gun” has no shortage of immortal lines, but none hit the spot quite like, “You can be my wingman any time.” This moment comes shortly after Maverick swoops in as Iceman’s wingman, saving him from MiGs. “Top Gun: Maverick” has a similar resolution, but it plays in reference. Glen Powell’s Hangman serves as this film’s answer to Iceman, frequently butting heads with Rooster. As Maverick and Rooster are targeted in the air with no escape, Hangman pulls off a last-minute rescue. The three reunite on the aircraft carrier with Rooster and Hangman sharing a moment that solidifies their newfound respect for each other. It’s a fresh spin on a nostalgic scene that leaves Hangman with more dimensions than expected.
#1: Letting Go
Where Goose’s death was the first film’s big tearjerker, Iceman is at the center of the sequel’s heartbreak. Iceman’s arc is only made more emotional given Val Kilmer’s throat cancer battle in real life. Iceman goes out on a high note, though, sharing one last heart to heart with Maverick. As Maverick loses confidence in his ability to lead the mission, Iceman encourages him to let go of the guilt that he’s been harboring over Goose’s death. Iceman’s words are reminiscent of the confidence boost that CDR Viper gives Maverick, as well as the moment when he tells Maverick that he needs to let him go. While the wingmen share a touching embrace, they still can’t decide who’s the best pilot all these years later.
