36 years before Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise made a legend by playing the character of Maverick for the first time in the first Top Gun and became an international star. But it could have been another story as well, as many other actors had been considered for the lead role. Fortunately, Tony Scott had the foresight to choose him, because while some of them might have been good Mavericks, Tom Cruise was the best. Here is the list of 10 actors who could have played Maverick instead of the second Tom Cruise Allociné.
Michael J. Fox
Known for his appearances in Back to the Future, Michael J. Fox was in high demand in the 1980s. At the time of the shooting in the sky of Top Gun he was however already engaged as a werewolf in Desire to win and in the series Keaton House.
Charlie Sheen
The actor of Platoon he was too young to play Maverick. In 1986 he was 21 and ultimately didn’t get hired. He took “revenge” when he was the king of her next parody, Hot Shots (an almost immediate sequel blockbuster).
Emilio Estevez
Like his brother Charlie Sheen, young actor Emilio Estevez was also considered for the role of Maverick in Top Gunbut he was not chosen.
Rob Lowe
Rob Lowe didn’t land the role of Maverick, but he blew the scene from Tom Cruise in The boys of 56th street. He could have been very good in the role of Pete Mitchell.
Matthew Broderick
Matthew Broderick was very popular in the 80s, just think of War Gamesand for this he was obviously also taken into consideration for the lead role in Top Gun.
Matthew Modine
Long before joining the cast of Stranger Things, Matthew Modine had made himself known with the dramatic Birdywho had won the Grand Prix at Cannes in 1985. He turned down an offer to play Maverick in favor of the war film Full Metal Jacket by Stanley Kubrick. A whole different story.
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage was already preparing for his role in Peggy Sue got married. Who knows what Maverick would have been.
Patrick Swayze
Patrick Swayze ultimately didn’t act in Top Gunbut in Dirty Dancing, next to Jennifer Gray. And she made history anyway.
Scott Baio
Known for TV series Happy Days And BabysitterScott Baio turned down the Maverick role in Top Gun. Who knows what regret!
John Travolta
John Travolta might have been a tough contender for Tom Cruise, but… he was discarded. Luckily for him, that didn’t stop him from (re) becoming an international star in the 90s after a career break … with this movie below …
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10 actors who “risked” to play Maverick instead of Tom Cruise in Top Gun