Val Kilmer did not want to be in this film, but was forced to by contractual obligations.
Matthew Modine was originally selected to play Maverick but he turned the part down.
The aircraft used are not "MiG-28"s but disguised F-5 Tiger IIs (Mig 28's are fictional aircraft).
Anthony Edwards, Michael Ironside, and Rick Rossovich all went on to roles in the t.v. series "ER" (1994). Edwards: Dr. Mark Greene, Ironside: Dr. William "Wild Willy" Swift, Rossovich: Dr. John "Tag" Taglieri
During the final furball, Stinger orders, "Ready Willard and Simkin on cats 3 and 4" - a reference to dogfight choreographer "Rat" Willard and naval consultant Semkin.
Bryan Adams was asked to allow his song "Only the Strong Survive" on the soundtrack, but he refused because he felt that the film glorified war.
In several locker scenes, one of the lockers is labeled as belonging to "TEX". This is the call sign for one of the top gun instructors and Mig pilots that worked on the film, Lt. William 'Tex' Spence.
Charlie's "older man" date at the oak club was actually a teacher at Top Gun at the time. He was the consultant on the film. It's not the "Oak Club", instead it's the "O" Club, short for the "Officer's Club"
Actor Trademark: [Val Kilmer] flipping a pen over his knuckles.
The piano scene and the final bar/jukebox scene were shot in a San Diego restaurant called Kansas City BBQ, at the corner of Kettner Blvd and W. Harbor Drive. The restaurant now houses many props and memorabilia from the film, including the jukebox and Maverick's flight helmet sits behind the bar in a locked display case.
The scene where Maverick follows Charlie into the bathroom was filmed at the Headquarters Building at Recruit Training Command, San Diego.
During the filming of some sequences from civilian aircraft, a longtime Hollywood stunt pilot, Art Scholl, was killed. A biplane he was flying crashed off the Pacific Coast.
Director Tony Scott wrote a quick check for $25,000 to the commander of the aircraft carrier in order to capture one vital external shot.
The love scene between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis was filmed after initial test screenings. Moviegoers complained that there was no love scene, so the company obliged. McGillis, however, had already dyed her hair darker for her next film. This is why the scene is tinted blue. Also noticeable as a subsequent shoot due to the longer length of Tom Cruise's hair (particularly in front).
Just before the film started production, one of the producers announced that they wanted to use the Bruce Springsteen song "Born in the USA" but attempts to secure the song were unsuccessful.
|
