No, Jon Hamm wasn't a part of the original Top Gun from 1986.
Jon Hamm plays the character of Beau "Cyclone" Simpson, a strict military figure who does not approve of Maverick's methods despite his success. To accurately portray Cyclone in "Top Gun: Maverick" and capture the essence of the 1986 classic, Hamm took inspiration from a legendary character from the original film.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter after the theatrical release of "Top Gun: Maverick," Hamm discussed his role in the movie and revealed that he drew inspiration from Tom Skerritt's performance as Mike "Viper" Metcalf in the first "Top Gun" movie.
Viper, played by Skerritt, played a significant role in "Top Gun," initially being critical of Maverick's reckless flying. However, by the end of the film, the two pilots develop a connection, with Viper even revealing that he served with Maverick's father, Duke Mitchell, during the Vietnam War.
Although this friendship would have been interesting to explore in "Top Gun: Maverick," as Skerritt revealed in an episode of “Deluxe Edition: A Classic Pop Culture Podcast,” he only filmed a small, insignificant scene for the movie.
Who is Jon Hamm?
Jonathan Daniel Hamm, aka Jon Hamm, is a renowned American actor known for his impressive filmography. Hamm is best recognized for his portrayal of Don Draper in the critically acclaimed period drama TV series “Mad Men” (2007-2015).
For “Mad Men,” he won several awards, including a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama in 2008 and 2016, two Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series, and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2015.
In addition to his role in “Mad Men,” Hamm has received 16 Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his guest appearances in the TV shows “30 Rock” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” as well as his producing efforts for “Mad Men.”
Hamm has also made a name for himself in film, starring in numerous leading roles in movies such as “Stolen” (2010), “Million Dollar Arm” (2014), “Keeping Up with the Joneses” (2016), “Beirut” (2018), and “Confess, Fletch” (2022).
He has also appeared in supporting roles in a long list of notable movies, including “The Day the Earth Stood Still” (2008), “The Town” (2010), “Sucker Punch” (2011), “Bridesmaids” (2011), “Friends with Kids” (2012), “Baby Driver” (2017), “Tag” (2018), “Bad Times at the El Royale” (2018), “Lucy in the Sky” (2019), “The Report” (2019), “Richard Jewell” (2019), “No Sudden Move” (2021), and “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022).
What is Top Gun: Maverick?
Top Gun: Maverick is a 2022 American action drama film that continues the story of the 1986 classic Top Gun. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film features a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie, based on stories by Peter Craig and Justin Marks.
Tom Cruise reprises his leading role as Maverick, a naval aviator who faces his past while training a group of young Top Gun graduates, including the son of his deceased best friend, for a perilous mission.
The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, and Val Kilmer. Top Gun: Maverick had its premiere at CinemaCon on April 28, 2022, and was theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on May 27, 2022.
The film received critical acclaim upon release, with many critics lauding it as an improvement over the original. It won the Best Film award from the National Board of Review and was named one of the top ten films of 2022 by the American Film Institute.
At the 95th Academy Awards, “Top Gun: Maverick” was nominated for six awards, including Best Picture, and won Best Sound. The film also received numerous other accolades. With a global box office gross of $1.493 billion, Top Gun: Maverick was the second-highest-grossing movie of 2022 and became the highest-grossing film of Cruise's career.
How did Top Gun: Maverick develop?
In 2010, Paramount Pictures announced the development of a “Top Gun” sequel and approached Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tony Scott to return as the lead actor, producer, and director, respectively. The screenplay was initially drafted by Peter Craig in 2012, but the project was put on hold when Scott passed away the same year. The film was later dedicated to Scott's memory.
Production for the sequel resumed in 2017 when Joseph Kosinski was brought on board to direct. Filming for “Top Gun: Maverick” commenced in May 2018 and lasted until April 2019 in various locations, including California, Washington, and Maryland. The team utilized IMAX-certified 6K full-frame cameras to capture high-quality footage.
The film's release date was initially set for July 12, 2019, but it was postponed several times due to the complex action sequences and the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite offers from multiple streaming companies to purchase the streaming rights during the pandemic, Cruise, who had the final say over the decision, insisted that the film be released exclusively in theaters, and Paramount declined all offers.
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