One of the biggest Summer 2020 blockbusters that got pushed due to the pandemic was the long awaited “Top Gun” sequel.
Currently slated to open a full year later on July 2nd 2021, “Top Gun: Maverick” will see Tom Cruise reprising his role and joined by numerous actors including Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glenn Powell and Miles Teller.
Teller in particular has the key role of the son of Goose (Anthony Edwards) who famously died in the first film. Along with having an emotional resonance, Teller also had to do a ton of preparation to do the film’s real-life flight stunts including flying a fighter jet by himself after three months of flight training. He tells Men’s Journal:
“There is no green screen in a Top Gun movie. Every shot, every stunt, was the result of the work, the real sweat, that we all put into it. The production was over the course of a full year, which was definitely the longest shoot I have ever been a part of.
I had about three months of flight training before starting the movie. That time was important to get comfortable with the crafts but also to build up our G-force tolerance, because all of the aerial elements were shot practically.
Before we got into the jets, we had to pass the Naval Aviation Survival Training course in San Diego. You learn all the protocols you need to go through if you ever have to eject over the ocean. They drag you across the water, they flip you on your bag, they want to see you able to get out of your harness and much more. “
All that prep led up to the single biggest test they all went through prior to filming – one called ‘The Dunker’. Teller explains:
“They put you into a modified helicopter, strap you to a chair, and then submerge this tank underwater. They blindfold you. Give you a chance to grab your last breath and then they take you down under the surface. Once you are under, they start to flip the tank and you have to prove you can go through the right operations to get out, as calmly as possible. Your partner is in there with you, and together you have to break open the hatch. It feels like some sort of torture chamber to a degree.”
The “Divergent” and “Whiplash” actor also went on to confirm that he has already seen the final cut of the sequel, dubbing it something that fans will definitely love. The film explores the end of the era of dogfighting as drone technology and fifth-generation fighters come into play. Joseph Kosinski helms the film.
