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The iconic $1.8BTop Gunfranchise, starring Tom Cruise as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, has captivated audiences worldwide, with a story related to the U.S. Navy’s training program. However, in a surprising move, the real-life US Navy has prohibited TOPGUN pilots from mentioning the franchise, and the reason is quite intriguing.
Former fighter pilot and real TOPGUN instructor Guy ‘Bus’ Snodgrass had written in his bookTOPGUN’s Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit, how students are banned from quoting or referring to Tom Cruise’s movie. Further, on a recent note, even Glen Powell addressed the reality behind the rule and almost upset die-hard Tom Cruise fans.
TOPGUN Pilots are Fined for Referring to Tom Cruise’sTop Gun
AfterTom Cruiseturned theTop Gunfranchise into a box office success, following the release of the sequelTop Gun: Maverick, the film series became iconic, forever related to the U.S. Navy’s training program. However, while the world at large appreciated Cruise’s films, the real-life TOPGUN school issued a rule regarding the films.
“I’m gonna fire him”: Tom Cruise’s Top Gun Director Was Almost Fired Over 1 Scene That Took an Entire Day to Shoot Because it Infuriated Paramount Studios
According to the bookTOPGUN’s Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the CockpitviaCBR, written by former fighter pilot and real TOPGUN instructor Guy ‘Bus’ Snodgrass, students are banned from quoting or referring to Tom Cruise’s movie. Snodgrass even mentioned that if any student or pilot is ever heard referring to the film, they shall be fined $5.
While this rule might sound outrageous to Tom Cruise’s fans, there’s actually an intriguing reason behind the restriction. According to Snodgrass, the Navy wishes to follow strict rules in place to maintain a clear distinction between the Hollywood blockbuster and the actual elite fighter weapons school.
“He had to be wet”: Top Gun Had to Reshoot One of its Most Replayed Scenes With Tom Cruise After Audience Booed the Movie in Initial Screenings
Willing to avoid any perceived endorsement or promotion ofTom Cruise’sTop Gunfranchise, which could undermine the seriousness and prestige of the real TOPGUN program, the U.S. Navy therefore bans students and pilots from referring to or quoting the films.
Glen Powell Disclosed the Reality Behind the Strict Rule
Meanwhile,Top Gun: MaverickactorGlen Powell, who is currently associated withThe Blue Angels, another nonfiction film about the Navy’s flight demonstration team, revealed the reality behind the strict U.S. Navy rule. Appearing for an interview onJake’s Takesfor his upcoming film, Powell addressed the strict rule and explained the reason behind it.
I’ve always heard that the Navy does not allow people to mention Top Gun. That if you bring it up, you’re fined $5. I’m sort of curious and your experience working with them on this film [The Blue Angels]. Did you ever hear anything about their attitude towards those movies, and whether or not that rumor is even true?Host Jake Hamilton asked.
Well, I think what’s really funny is, obviously on Top Gun, as soon as we got to all these naval bases, we’re flying. It’s definitely true that if they quote Top Gun as a pilot, if you’re an actual TOPGUN pilot and you’re quoting Top Gun, the movie, it’s not good. It’s not received well.
Thereafter, addressing how the Navy’s stance is rooted in the desire to maintain the highest level of professionalism and avoid any potential distractions, Glen Powell explained why the two entities are actually kept separate. Commenting on how things could easily go out of hand, if the the real TOPGUN pilots start glamorizing Hollywood portrayal, Powell mentioned that it’s perhaps important to keep the pilots grounded with such strict rules.
And I think it’s important, ’cause look Top Gun is all about swagger and ego. But what you really see with these pilots in the Navy, these are very humble people. The attitude of Top Gun: Maverick is very different from the attitude of these pilots. These are the most kind, gentle, down-to-earth people. And so, I think it’s probably a good rule, ’cause that could get out of hand really fast if they were just quoting Maverick quotes all the time.
So it seems, that while the US Navy’s decision to keeptheTop Gunfranchiseseparate from the real program might disappoint some fans, it is actually followed to ensure the highest standards in the military.
TheTop Gunmovies are available on Paramount+.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
