Top Gun: Maverick seems to be taken by Tom Cruise to the high level once again as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, but he won’t be joined by many friendly faces. Cruise’s Maverick may have one-time opponent Kazansky (Val Kilmer) by his side. This is followed by one actor who is certainly not returning for the sequel, Kelly McGillis.
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On the other hand, Cruise’s pilot will be romantically involved with a woman from his past named Penny Benjamin, represented by Jennifer Connelly. Kelly McGillis has spoken about the intentions behind her absence from the Top Gun sequel, saying in 2019 it was a result of her being old, fat looking.
Everything Kelly McGillis Has Said About Top Gun: Maverick
According to The Telegraph, the actor said:
“They did not [get in touch] and nor do I think they would ever.”
“I mean, I’m old and I’m fat and I look age-appropriate for what my age is. And that is not what that whole scene is about! But, to me, I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff.”
Since her appearance in Top Gun, Kelly McGillis has stepped back from her acting career. She told Entertainment Tonight in July 2019:
“I think just my priorities in life changed. It wasn’t like a major decision that I made to leave, it was just that other things became more important.”
Connelly talked about the “exceptional” Cruise in an interview with Variety ahead of Top Gun: Maverick’s May 27, 2022 release.
“We focused on the intimacy of how they fit into each other’s lives. I think those characters have a really tender relationship, the way she understands him. They share a moment in bed chatting, and it tells as much about their relationship as the scene that is the preamble to that. Clearly, they have some unresolved business between them, and she navigates that with humor and playfulness. I feel like she’s someone who is positive and is moving toward happiness.”
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