Is Top Gun Maverick Based on a True Story? Know Here
by Janani
Updated May 09, 2023
Top Gun: Maverick
Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski and written by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie. It serves as a sequel to the 1986 film Top Gun. Tom Cruise returns to his iconic role as Maverick, a naval aviator. The story is based on characters created by Jim Cash and Jack Epps Jr.
The film also features Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer, reprising his role as Iceman. In Top Gun: Maverick, the protagonist confronts his past while mentoring a new group of Top Gun graduates, including the son of his late best friend, as they prepare for a dangerous mission.
Is Top Gun Maverick Based on a True Story?
No, Top Gun Maverick is not based on a true story. In regard to 'Top Gun: Maverick,' former Navy commander Guy Snodgrass discusses the film's portrayal in relation to real-life experiences. While 'Top Gun' is not directly based on a true story, it draws inspiration from authentic events. Interestingly, the movie was sparked by an article titled "Top Guns" written by Ehud Yonay, an Israeli writer and director.
While certain aspects of the movie are purely fictional, such as the absence of a trophy for the top fighter pilot, a significant portion of it draws inspiration from real-life training programs. Furthermore, the impact of Tom Cruise's films on recruitment is noteworthy. Following the 1986 release of "Top Gun," there was a remarkable 500% surge in applications for naval aviator positions, underscoring the influence of the film on aspiring candidates.
Top Gun Maverick Cast
Tom Cruise
Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell
Miles Teller
Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw
Jennifer Connelly
Penelope "Penny" Benjamin
Jon Hamm
Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson
Glen Powell
LT Jake "Hangman" Seresin
Lewis Pullman
LT Robert "Bob" Floyd
Ed Harris
Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain
Val Kilmer
Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky
Monica Barbaro
LT Natasha "Phoenix" Trace
Charles Parnell
RADM Solomon "Warlock" Bates
Jay Ellis as
LT Reuben "Payback" Fitch
Danny Ramirez
LT Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia
Greg Tarzan Davis
LT Javy "Coyote" Machado
Bashir Salahuddin
Chief Warrant Officer Four Bernie "Hondo" Coleman
Manny Jacinto
LT Billy "Fritz" Avalone:
Raymond Lee
LT Logan "Yale" Lee
Jake Picking
LT Brigham "Harvard" Lennox
Jack Schumacher
LT Neil "Omaha" Vikander
Kara Wang
LT Callie "Halo" Bassett
Lyliana Wray
Amelia Benjamin
Jean Louisa Kelly
Sarah Kazansky
James Handy
Jimmy
Chido Nwokocha
Mission Controller
Chelsea Harris
Admiral's Aide
Cast Name
Character Name
Top Gun Maverick Plot
More than three decades after graduating from Top Gun, Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a United States Navy test pilot, faces challenges due to his insubordination, preventing him from advancing in rank. Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky, his former Top Gun rival and now commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, often supports Maverick. Rear Admiral Chester "Hammer" Cain intends to cancel Maverick's hypersonic "Darkstar" scramjet program in favor of funding drones.
Maverick attempts to save the program but ends up destroying the prototype. To salvage his career, Maverick is assigned to the Top Gun school at NAS North Island by Iceman, who informs him that crewed fighter aircraft are becoming obsolete. The Navy's mission involves destroying an unauthorized uranium enrichment plant hidden in an underground bunker at the end of a canyon. Maverick develops a plan and is tasked with training a group of elite Top Gun graduates to carry out the strike. He engages in dogfights with his initially skeptical students and earns their respect.
Among the students, Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Maverick's late best friend, clashes with Lieutenant Jake "Hangman" Seresin. Maverick reconnects with his former girlfriend Penny Benjamin and shares his promise to Rooster's mother that Rooster wouldn't become a pilot. Rooster blames Maverick for hindering his military career and his father's death. Uncertain of interfering further, Maverick seeks advice from Iceman, who advises him to let go and assures him that both the Navy and Rooster need him.
After Iceman's passing, Maverick is removed as an instructor by Air Boss Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson following a training incident. Cyclone adjusts the mission parameters, making them easier but riskier. Maverick demonstrates that his preferred parameters can be successful and is reluctantly appointed as team leader. Maverick leads a strike mission with Rooster, Lieutenant Natasha "Phoenix" Trace, and Lieutenant Robert "Bob" Floyd.
They launch from an aircraft carrier and successfully destroy the uranium plant, but encounter SAMs during their escape. Maverick sacrifices his plane to protect Rooster, who is initially thought to be dead. Rooster returns to save Maverick from an attacking helicopter, and they escape in an F-14. After eliminating enemy jets, they are left defenseless. Hangman arrives in time to shoot down an enemy jet, ensuring their safe return.
In the aftermath, Rooster assists Maverick in repairing a P-51 Mustang. They reflect on the mission's success, looking at a photo alongside one of Rooster's late father and a young Maverick. Maverick and Penny fly off together in the P-51.
Top Gun Maverick Ending Explained
Despite facing challenging circumstances during the final mission, both Maverick, portrayed by Tom Cruise, and Rooster manage to survive at the ending of Top Gun: Maverick. Determined to make their way back safely, Maverick takes the enemy by surprise, executing a daring maneuver by maneuvering behind one of the planes and successfully shooting it down.
In pursuit, the second enemy aircraft chased after Maverick, but he skillfully maneuvered his F-14 at a low altitude, taking advantage of the terrain to confuse the enemy's targeting computer. Employing his iconic Top Gun maneuver, Maverick inverted his aircraft and successfully shot down the pursuing enemy plane. However, the challenges weren't over for the cast of Top Gun: Maverick. Maverick found himself without any remaining weapons, while a new enemy fighter approached from the front.
Faced with the grim possibility of not making it out alive, Maverick urged Goose to eject, but their outdated plane's canopy refused to open. Just when all seemed lost, Hangman, who had been deployed to rescue his friends after detecting Goose's transponder signal from the aircraft carrier, destroyed the incoming enemy fighter in the nick of time.
Top Gun Maverick Trailer
Is Top Gun Maverick Based on a True Story? - FAQs
Tom Cruise played the role of Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.
Miles Teller played the role of Lieutenant Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw.
Jennifer Connelly played the role of Penelope "Penny" Benjamin.
Jon Hamm played the role of Vice Admiral Beau "Cyclone" Simpson.
Glen Powell played the role of LT Jake "Hangman" Seresin.