Monica Barbaro made history as the first actress to portray the first female fighter pilot in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun 2. At the time a relatively unknown actor, the actress was astounded to be offered the role, given her limited experience in successful films or series. While she found the entire experience mesmerizing and enthralling, Barbaro later admitted that she had fabricated some details about herself to land the role.
Not only did she lie but she also copied The Batman star Robert Pattinson’s antics, for Barbaro was convinced she might not get the role after her screen test.
Monica Barbaro Lied to Get a Role in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun Sequel
Tom Cruise‘s Top Gun: Maverick came decades after the first movie. Despite the enormous time difference, the movie turned out to become one of his best movies ever, grossing about $1.465 billion worldwide (via The Numbers). Not only was it a commercial success but also a critical hit, thanks to its many exciting elements and brilliant storyline.
One of its most intriguing aspects was the franchise’s first female fighter pilot, Lieutenant Natasha Phoenix Trace aka Monica Barbaro. Not a love interest, but a competent pilot eager to accompany Cruise’s Captain Pete on a deadly mission, her portrayal was well received by fans and critics.
Monica Barbaro’s epic portrayal and role also led to a literal Barbie being designed after her. However, before she earned such widespread acclaim for her role, the actress had to lie to land the role. In an interview with Glamour, Barbaro opened up about the casting process for the role.
I had to do a self-tape first because I was not a heavy hitter. They were like, ‘I guess she can self-tape.’ I gave it everything. Then I got called back and got to meet director Joe Kosinski. He wanted to double-check that I wasn’t afraid of flying because we would be flying jets in this movie.
And then he’s like, ‘Can you swim?’ I was like, ‘Yeah.’ He was like, ‘You’re a comfortable swimmer?’ I was like, ‘Yeah. You know, lying.
While her lying bagged her the audition, the actress had yet to do a camera test. Convinced that she still might not get the role, the actress copied Robert Pattinson’s antics during his The Batman screen test while wearing her flight suit.
Monica Barbaro Copied Robert Pattinson During Her Top Gun 2 Screen Test
Monica Barbaro had lied to get her acclaimed Top Gun: Maverick role. However, there was still a screen test left to prove that the actress was the right choice for the role. During her screen test, the actress recalled how Robert Pattinson had taken a selfie during his screen test for Batman since he was unsure he would get the role.
After a disastrous 8-hour-long screen test, Pattinson had wanted to remember wearing the Bat-suit, in case he was kicked out of the movie (see ComicBook.com). Similarly, while doing her own screen test for Top Gun 2, Barbaro too sneaked in a selfie so she could remember the feeling.
I had to put a flight suit on for a camera test, and that was pretty funny. I recently heard that Robert Pattinson took a selfie in the Batman suit, just in case he didn’t get it. I fully did that too. Then I auditioned again and got it.
While she did get the role and endured through the laborious process of shooting the aerial epic, the actress recalls the whole experience as fun and a lesson she will never forget.
Top Gun: Maverick can be steamed on Paramount+.
