Among various rules that the U.S. Navy is supposed to follow, one rule bans them from quoting references from Tom Cruise’s ‘Top Gun’.
The iconic $1.8B Top Gun franchise, starring Tom Cruise as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, has captivated audiences worldwide, with a story related to the U.S. Navy’s training program. However, in a surprising move, the real-life US Navy has prohibited TOPGUN pilots from mentioning the franchise, and the reason is quite intriguing.
Former fighter pilot and real TOPGUN instructor Guy ‘Bus’ Snodgrass had written in his book TOPGUN’s Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit, how students are banned from quoting or referring to Tom Cruise’s movie. Further, on a recent note, even Glen Powell addressed the reality behind the rule and almost upset die-hard Tom Cruise fans.
TOPGUN Pilots are Fined for Referring to Tom Cruise’s Top Gun
After Tom Cruise turned the Top Gun franchise into a box office success, following the release of the sequel Top Gun: Maverick, the film series became iconic, forever related to the U.S. Navy’s training program. However, while the world at large appreciated Cruise’s films, the real-life TOPGUN school issued a rule regarding the films.
According to the book TOPGUN’s Top 10: Leadership Lessons from the Cockpit via CBR, written by former fighter pilot and real TOPGUN instructor Guy ‘Bus’ Snodgrass, students are banned from quoting or referring to Tom Cruise’s movie. Snodgrass even mentioned that if any student or pilot is ever heard referring to the film, they shall be fined $5.
While this rule might sound outrageous to Tom Cruise’s fans, there’s actually an intriguing reason behind the restriction. According to Snodgrass, the Navy wishes to follow strict rules in place to maintain a clear distinction between the Hollywood blockbuster and the actual elite fighter weapons school.
Willing to avoid any perceived endorsement or promotion of Tom Cruise’s Top Gun franchise, which could undermine the seriousness and prestige of the real TOPGUN program, the U.S. Navy therefore bans students and pilots from referring to or quoting the films.
Glen Powell Disclosed the Reality Behind the Strict Rule
Meanwhile, Top Gun: Maverick actor Glen Powell, who is currently associated with The Blue Angels, another nonfiction film about the Navy’s flight demonstration team, revealed the reality behind the strict U.S. Navy rule. Appearing for an interview on Jake’s Takes for his upcoming film, Powell addressed the strict rule and explained the reason behind it.
I’ve always heard that the Navy does not allow people to mention Top Gun. That if you bring it up, you’re fined $5. I’m sort of curious and your experience working with them on this film [The Blue Angels]. Did you ever hear anything about their attitude towards those movies, and whether or not that rumor is even true? Host Jake Hamilton asked.
“Well, I think what’s really funny is, obviously on Top Gun, as soon as we got to all these naval bases, we’re flying. It’s definitely true that if they quote Top Gun as a pilot, if you’re an actual TOPGUN pilot and you’re quoting Top Gun, the movie, it’s not good. It’s not received well.”
Thereafter, addressing how the Navy’s stance is rooted in the desire to maintain the highest level of professionalism and avoid any potential distractions, Glen Powell explained why the two entities are actually kept separate. Commenting on how things could easily go out of hand, if the the real TOPGUN pilots start glamorizing Hollywood portrayal, Powell mentioned that it’s perhaps important to keep the pilots grounded with such strict rules.
“And I think it’s important, ’cause look Top Gun is all about swagger and ego. But what you really see with these pilots in the Navy, these are very humble people. The attitude of Top Gun: Maverick is very different from the attitude of these pilots. These are the most kind, gentle, down-to-earth people. And so, I think it’s probably a good rule, ’cause that could get out of hand really fast if they were just quoting Maverick quotes all the time.”
So it seems, that while the US Navy’s decision to keep the Top Gun franchise separate from the real program might disappoint some fans, it is actually followed to ensure the highest standards in the military.
