Tom Cruise will reprise his role as Navy fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the Top Gun sequel Top Gun: Maverick. But don’t expect to see actress Kelly McGillis, who played his love interest, Charlie in the 1986 original.
McGillis wasn’t invited to return for the film’s upcoming sequel. The 62-year-old actress played Maverick’s smoking hot civilian instructor, Charlie, in the 1986 original. However, speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Kelly confirmed she won’t be back because she wasn’t invited to return.
“Oh god no. They did not, nor do I think they would ever,” she replied. “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.”
When asked if she’d be attending any promo events for the sequel, she replied: “You know what, I don’t know how to answer that because one, it hasn’t happened. Two, if and when it did happen, I would have to assess where I am, what I’m doing, what’s going on … I can’t project what I would or wouldn’t do in the future. I have no idea because I don’t know where I’ll be.”
“Movies are odd things,” she continued. “I don’t really keep in touch with anybody. I think I’ve spoken to a couple of people occasionally, but the truth is, movies are very odd work situations because you have a lot of people who come together from all different parts of the world.”
McGillis, who is only 5 years older than Cruise, insisted she had no ill feelings. She said she’s pleased Jennifer Connelly landed the role of Maverick’s love interest in the new film, adding: “(I’m) so glad that she got that opportunity.”
Connelly, 48, won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2002 for her role in Ron Howard’s biopic A Beautiful Mind (2001).
Top Gun: Maverick is scheduled for release nationwide on June 26, 2020.
Photos by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images, Paramount Pictures/Archive Photos/Getty Images
