For some it was the film that defined a decade, quickly establishing Tom Cruise as Hollywood’s biggest, brightest and most bankable star.
But while more than 30-years have passed since the actor launched himself into public consciousness as hotheaded rookie pilot LT Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun, he is no less reckless in its eagerly anticipated sequel.
The a brand new trailer for Top Gun: Maverick sees the character, now advanced into middle-age, summoned back to Naval Fighter Weapons School by superiors keen to exploit is experience as a United States Naval Aviator.
Welcome back: LT Pete “Maverick” Mitchell appears to be no less reckless than he was more than 30-years ago in the brand new trailer for forthcoming film Top Gun: Maverick
While his unpredictability is undisputed, naval tutor Mitchell’s undoubted brilliance in the air is recognized in an opening monologue, delivered to a group of young, ambitious trainees during a class seminar.
‘Your instructor is one of the finest pilots this program has ever produced,’ they are brusquely informed.
‘His exploits are legendary. What he has to teach you may very well be the difference between life and death.’
Just like old times: The a brand new trailer for Top Gun: Maverick sees the character, now advanced into middle-age, summoned back to Naval Fighter Weapons School by his superiors
Stunned: Mitchell can’t conceal his astonishment during a briefing with his seniors, among them three-star Vice Admiral Jon Hamm
It’s been a while: His commanders are keen to exploit is experience as a United States Naval Aviator
Despite his grand introduction and the evident weight of expectation that surrounds his arrival, Mitchell can’t conceal his astonishment during a briefing with his seniors, among them three-star Vice Admiral Jon Hamm.
‘I have to admit I wasn’t expecting an invitation back,’ he tells them with a wry grin, suggesting an undisclosed fall out in the years since we last saw him fly off into the sunset with Kelly McGillis.
While appreciative of his apparent second chance, the pilot wastes no time in displaying his reckless streak by throwing caution to the wind during a complex exercise with his trainees.
Grand introduction: Mitchell’s undoubted brilliance in the air is recognized in an opening monologue, delivered to a group of young, ambitious trainees during a class seminar
Here we go: But he wastes no time in displaying his reckless streak by throwing caution to the wind during a complex exercise with his trainees
Watch out: Taking to the skies for a ‘two versus one’ dogfight, his overconfident pupils are left stunned as he skillfully navigates his jet between between them, narrowly missing their wings
Taking to the skies for a ‘two versus one’ dogfight, his overconfident pupils are left stunned as he skillfully navigates his jet between between them, narrowly missing their wings.
With McGillis’s Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood – the object of Mitchell’s undying love in 1988 – curiously absent in 2019, her spot is capably filled by a new and notably younger love interest, played by Jennifer Connelly.
And she is seen here – described as a single mother who juggles parenthood with the running of a local bar – locked in a tentative embrace with Mitchell, whose wistful expression suggests he has once again exposed the cloying vulnerability that originally won the missing Blackwood’s heart.
That special one: With McGillis’s Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood is curiously absent in 2019, her spot is capably filled by a new and notably younger love interest, played by Jennifer Connelly
Drama: There’s an angry scuffle among trainees as the trailer draws to a close
A nod to the past: Fans will be treated to another high-fiving beach volleyball scene that’s almost a double for the original film’s most iconic sequence
Fans of the original film will be treated to more than one nod to the past, with Mitchell seen tearing through barren countryside on the beloved GPZ900R motorcycle he rode to great affect as a younger man.
There’s also another high-fiving beach volleyball scene that’s almost a double for the original film’s most iconic sequence, with shirtless pilots showing off their muscles – and their ball control – as the trailer draws to a close.
Top Gun: Maverick goes in general release on June 26, 2020.
Dogfight: The closing scene suggests Mitchell and his trainees will see real action