Top Gun: Maverick has been one of the biggest movie successes this year, and especially since the Coronavirus pandemic. After we saw Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) graduate Top Gun to become a test pilot in the first movie, he has now returned for a new assignment - to teach incoming students to be young aviators. After 30 years, watching Cruise take to the sky again was mesmerizing, and we were lucky to see some familiar faces along the way. Along with the return of original characters, we were also excited to see some fresh new faces too. Let’s take a look at the characters and what their purpose is in Top Gun: Maverick.
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Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete Mitchell – Call Sign “Maverick”
Paramount Pictures
Of course, Tom Cruise returns as the legendary Pete Mitchell - main character of both Top Gun films. Better known by his call sign Maverick, Mitchell was hotheaded and a bit of a rebel in the original movie, but after the death of his best friend Goose (Anthony Edwards), Maverick learned to grow up and do him proud, becoming one of the best aviators in the Navy.
The Top Gun sequel finds Maverick test-flying the planes, and although he is still as stubborn (and a bit of a rebel) as we saw in the first movie, he’s now often fighting for others instead of with them. He has bigger responsibilities now, as his top priority at the Top Gun academy is to ensure that all his pilots return home from their mission.
Val Kilmer as Adm. Tom Kazansky – Call Sign “Iceman”
Although Iceman and Maverick graduated alongside each other in Top Gun, they initially did not see eye-to-eye and butted heads a few times. It wasn’t until towards the end of the movie that their relationship developed and became friendly. Despite his battle with throat cancer, Top Gun: Maverick allowed Val Kilmer to return to the role where his illness was incorporated into his character, which made it all the more touching and emotional to watch.
Kilmer was one of the most well-recognized actors in the world, starring as Batman in Batman Forever (1995). He has also portrayed Mark Twain in Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn and Jim Morrison in The Doors, along with great roles in Heat, Tombstone, and Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Now, however, he has decided to retire from acting due to ill health, but a fantastic experimental documentary about him, Val, was released last year.
Miles Teller as Lt. Bradley Bradshaw – Call Sign “Rooster”
Top Gun: Maverick introduces us to Rooster, the son of Goose and Carole (Meg Ryan in the first film), and there’s no denying that his relationship with Maverick is full of tension. Maverick is of course riddled with guilt after the death of his best friend, but also felt it was his duty to take care of Carole and Bradley. Thus, as a favor to Carole (who didn’t actually want Bradley to be an aviator out of fear that he would suffer the same fate as his father Goose), Maverick sets Rooster back three years, which leads to friction between them. But we know it came from a place of love.
Teller is also extremely well known for his roles in The Spectacular Now (2013) Whiplash (2014), Fantastic Four (2015), the Divergent films, and more recently, The Offer series on Paramount+ as Alfred S. Ruddy. Teller did a great job as Rooster, and won the hearts of viewers everywhere. Plus, like the first film’s infamous beach volleyball scene, Teller definitely provided some eye candy.
Jennifer Connelly as Penny Benjamin
Although Penny did not make an appearance in the first Top Gun movie, she was referenced by name as Maverick’s old girlfriend, and we see them reunite in Top Gun: Maverick, where their relationship is beautifully rekindled during his time back, and hopefully this time it will last. You may have seen Jennifer Connelly previously in Requiem for a Dream (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001), Hulk (2003), House of Sand and Fog (2003) and The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008). Her appearance was a fabulous addition to the cast, and she brought a great seriousness and romantic atmosphere to the storyline.
Lyliana Wray as Amelia Benjamin
Where Penny goes, so does her daughter, Amelia, and although she has a good relationship with Maverick, she loves her mother and simply wants the best for her. She does worry that with the strange nature of Penny and Maverick’s relationship, her mother will get hurt. Lyliana does a fantastic job portraying this feisty and loving character, and is a perfect addition to the cast.
Glen Powell as Lt. Jake Seresin – Call Sign “Hangman”
Glen Powell’s charisma shines through as Hangman, and we quickly see that he reminds us of Maverick with his reckless behavior leaving his co-pilots hanging (most likely where he got his call sign from). However, Hangman is still honestly one of the best pilots in Top Gun: Maverick and his relationship with Rooster reminds us of Maverick and Iceman. Powell has also been noticed in Set It Up (2018) as Charlie and Scream Queens (2015-2016) as Chad Radwell. Bringing tension and suspense, Hangman is a brilliant addition.
Monica Barbaro as Lt. Natasha Trace – Call Sign “Phoenix”
One of only two female pilots (unfortunately) at the Top Gun Air Force academy, Phoenix is a good friend to Rooster, but we also see her come into conflict with Hangman. Barbaro has previously held roles in TV shows like The Good Cop, Splitting Up Together, and Chicago Justice, but her role in Top Gun: Maverick is definitely one to remember and her biggest yet.
Lewis Pullman as Lt. Robert Floyd – Call Sign “Bob”
With the blandness of his call sign (“Bob,” also his name), Lt. Floyd is a fun addition to the cast, considering just how incongruous he is to all the hotshots and hot-blooded pilots surrounding him. There’s a humorous energy between this reserved, awkward, but excellent flyer and his fellow pilots, and it’s funny and refreshing to see onscreen. One of this best parts of this character is how we see his relationship develop with Phoenix, who not only become good friends, but Bob becomes Phoenix’s second seat, which is a great honor.
Bashir Salahuddin as Wo-1. Bernie Coleman – Call Sign “Hondo”
Top Gun: Maverick sees Hondo as a Warrant Officer Rank 1, who is working on a program that Maverick is currently test-piloting; he then becomes Maverick’s assistant coach when Maverick heads back to Top Gun. Bashir Salahuddin has had a good year for his career, as he also starred in 2022’s The Dropout.
Jon Hamm as Adm. Beau Simpson – Call Sign “Cyclone”
Maverick might be well-loved by a lot of his friends and co-workers, but there’s always one. This time it’s Cyclone. He has strong opinions that Maverick is not up for the job at Top Gun, and he is very strict while overseeing his missions. He’s the perfect opponent and rival, and their relationship brings tension and a classic Iceman dynamic to the movie. Hamm is obviously a huge star, from Mad Men to the upcoming Fletch remake, and he does a great job here as a much less charming person than usual.
Charles Parnell as Adm. Solomon Bates - Call Sign “Warlock”
Warlock works alongside Cyclone but isn’t actually as strict with Maverick and can be quite forgiving of his past. He even wants to support him, which brings tension between himself and Cyclone and even more drama to the storyline. Parnell has had a full career, always bringing gravitas and authority to his roles, and fans might recognize him from Pariah, Spiderhead, and Transformers: Age of Extinction in 2014. Tom Cruise liked working with Parnell so much that he brought him into the upcoming new installment in the Mission: Impossible movies, Dead Reckoning Part One.
