The release of the trailer for Top Gun: Maverick, the much-anticipated sequel to the 1986 pop culture hit, has Hollywood abuzz as to which characters from the original might return to take flight again.
One actor has already taken herself out of the running: the original film’s female lead, fab lesbian Kelly McGillis.
McGillis, who came out in 2009, has confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that she was not even asked to return alongside original leads Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, both of whom will reprise their roles in this sequel.
Related: Relive “Top Gun’s” Gay Legacy On Its 30th Anniversary
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“Movies are odd things,” McGillis says. “I don’t really keep in touch with anybody. I think I’ve spoken to a couple of people occasionally, but the truth is, movies are very odd work situations because you have a lot of people who come together from all different parts of the world.”
The original Top Gun became one of the most iconic films of the 1980s, helping to launch the careers of Cruise, McGillis, Kilmer and Anthony Edwards. In recent times, the film has also undergone a reexamination as a homoerotic classic, in particular for a notorious shirtless volleyball scene.
Once one of Hollywood’s rising stars, McGillis appeared in acclaimed films like Top Gun and The Accused to positive notice. After several disappointing film roles and struggles with substance abuse, she drifted to stage work. Now 62 and sober, she spends the bulk of her time caring for her two children and teaching acting classes near her home in North Carolina.
Cam
Of course they wouldn’t ask Gillis, she hasn’t had a ton of work done and actually looks somewhat her age. If they had her in the movie people would realize that in spite of all the makeup and camera work, Tom Cruise’s character would either be riding a desk or long since retired from the military in real life.
jw8890
You’re not wrong
dean089
Well, of course they can’t pair Tom Cruise with a woman his own age. That would violate some Hollywood policy or something. Good for her for not giving a sh*t.
OzJosh
Sure, there’s standard Hollywood sexism, ageism and maybe homophobia at play here. That said, have you seen a recent photo of Kelly McGillis? If we were just talking suburbia, not Hollywood, then a guy like Tom Cruise – still hunky in his late 50s – would more than likely have dumped McGillis and moved on to a younger, slimmer model years ago. I’m not saying it’s right. But we all know it’s true.
Vince
Ha. I just did. Oh lord. Good for her not giving a fu*ck.
Tom has had work done but minor. Fillers, botox, stuff. Guys can’t really get away with allot without it being noticeable. He might be a douche bag closet case but he looks good and as OzJosh said it’s totally unrealistic to think Maverick wouldn’t of kicked her to the curb many years ago. I don’t see stud boy with frumpy dumpy unless $ was involved.
A bit off topic but I took my girlfriend to see Top Gun when it came out. 2 years before I finally did. Ha. Oh and there bringing the first Star Trek movie to theaters on Sept 15th. 40 years ago (1979) me and my cousin were there to see it. Damn. 😉
Brian
She looks like Kathy Bates now.
Hdtex
Val Kilmer doesn’t look a day over 70.
Hdtex
@Brian you WISHED you looked as good as Kathy Bates.
Vince
Val Kilmer has had a issue with his weight up till he got throat cancer which would age anyone.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
There are no 50 year old fighter pilots…..
white-queer-african
@PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS, your comment is almost correct….
No not, maybe for Hollywood. In real life, definitely not. Squadron commanders come to mind. As for closet Ms Cruise from scientology fame….nough said!
AlexEf
She’s too real for this movie sequel
nitejonboy
Who’s Tom Cruise again ?
dwes09
Real life “Picture of Dorian Grey” character, Action film hero and chief celebrity shill for the “Church” of Scientology.
TheMarc
Kelly McGillis should be all of us regarding so much B.S. She didn’t actively seek to spark some outrage or scream discrimination. She acknowledged the fickleness of the Hollywood machine and went back to doing her. I was dragged to the first one by my parents because of my military interest at a very young age. The only thing I remembered was the volleyball scene. If I knew what gay was then, that probably would have clued me in on what was to come. Otherwise, I have no interest in seeing a reboot/sequel of this film…that is unless they were to do a parody and place some ultra-hot new hotties in it.
djmcgamester
Was anyone begging for this “sequel”? I thought the movie was decent, saw it when it was first released, but I have zero interest in this. Tom Cruise is way too old to be playing this role. I looked it up and anyone still flying at 60 is automatically retired. Cruise is 57. I won’t be watching it.
sweetnovember
Despite all the buzz about top gun, I couldn’t bring myself to watch the full movie. I got so bored I will switch to another channels after one scene or 4 minutes of watching. Never understood why this movie is considered a hit.
Invader7
Miss Thomasina Cruise Mapother IV will be there, propping up his crazy ass ego !!! No wonder Katie fled !! Bored already… The studio is counting on the bored, MUCH older, suburban housewife demographic !!
Rex Huskey
“katie fled”. I think she fell judging where/who she landed