MeatHookGekko
Super Freak
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- Apr 11, 2007
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Wait what extended version of TGM!!!
Some thoughts on what was probably trimmed
1) The Miles Teller/Rooster story is extremely disjointed. There is some shades of a romantic triangle between Rooster/Hangman and Phoenix during the pool hall scene. There is no transition for "why" Rooster suddenly got over his hang ups in the end battle. There are also scant few scenes between the Maverick/Rooster conflict, not enough to resolve it.
2) I'm not sure Phoenix/Bob survived that training accident in a previous cut. The way it's handled is kind of hazy. There might have been some push/pull in having Maverick and Rooster dealing with training losses like this. Or the Navy didn't want to have American pilots die in this film. Especially not after the sensitivity of the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan. There may be an alternative version where some of those planes don't make it out of that canyon.
3) There are likely more scenes with the bonding of the young pilots without Cruise and more on the Hangman/Rooster conflict.
4) There is probably an alternate ending if Cruise died during filming. I mean this is complicated stuff and not without risk. If I was making the movie? Well if the test screenings didn't go well and it looked like a bomb, I'd use an ending where Pete Mitchell dies. Same thing if Cruise died in real life, would almost guarantee a couple of free Oscar wins.
5) Paramount probably wanted a couple of things in the filming process
A) The potential for a third installment, with enough characters and storylines to support that.
B) The potential for a prestige TV series ( starring Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, etc ,etc) with enough characters and storylines to support that.
C) Footage shot for this film that was not used in the final edit that can be slated for a future sequel.
Could Miles Teller carry a third film on his own? There's still money to be made in this franchise. He was a critical darling during Whiplash ( incredible film, incredible performances) and that probably got him this role.
I think he can. The Top Gun name will give them the benefit of the doubt for at least one sequel.
But let's be honest, if there is a Top Gun 3 and Cruise is involved again, they are going into space. What else can they do on Earth at this point? Cruise is going to want to do stunts in space.
2) I'm not sure Phoenix/Bob survived that training accident in a previous cut. The way it's handled is kind of hazy. There might have been some push/pull in having Maverick and Rooster dealing with training losses like this. Or the Navy didn't want to have American pilots die in this film. Especially not after the sensitivity of the recent withdrawal from Afghanistan. There may be an alternative version where some of those planes don't make it out of that canyon.
3) There are likely more scenes with the bonding of the young pilots without Cruise and more on the Hangman/Rooster conflict.
4) There is probably an alternate ending if Cruise died during filming. I mean this is complicated stuff and not without risk. If I was making the movie? Well if the test screenings didn't go well and it looked like a bomb, I'd use an ending where Pete Mitchell dies. Same thing if Cruise died in real life, would almost guarantee a couple of free Oscar wins.
5) Paramount probably wanted a couple of things in the filming process
A) The potential for a third installment, with enough characters and storylines to support that.
B) The potential for a prestige TV series ( starring Glen Powell, Jon Hamm, etc ,etc) with enough characters and storylines to support that.
C) Footage shot for this film that was not used in the final edit that can be slated for a future sequel.
Could Miles Teller carry a third film on his own? There's still money to be made in this franchise. He was a critical darling during Whiplash ( incredible film, incredible performances) and that probably got him this role.
I think he can. The Top Gun name will give them the benefit of the doubt for at least one sequel.
But let's be honest, if there is a Top Gun 3 and Cruise is involved again, they are going into space. What else can they do on Earth at this point? Cruise is going to want to do stunts in space.
Or (gasp) did you deliberately wait until you could watch it digitally at home?
