The new sequel Top Gun: Maverick will soon finally land in theaters, and Tom Cruise has been speaking about what it was like to bring the movie to life while promoting its release. One aspect of the sequel that has many fans of the original excited is that it also brings back Val Kilmer's Iceman alongside Cruise's Maverick. It has been previously reported how Cruise was adamant about getting Kilmer involved in Top Gun 2 as such an important part of the first film.
Early reviews have lent some high praise to the scenes reuniting Cruise and Kilmer. Cruise says the first scene in particular that reunites the two is especially special. Of course, he can't divulge any specific spoilers as to what that scene entails, but it definitely sounds like Top Gun fans will enjoy it. Here's what Cruise said about working with Kilmer in new scenes for Top Gun: Maverick, per Entertainment Tonight.
"With the first one, I really rallied hard for him to make the movie. And the kind of talent that he has, and you see that scene, it's very special. This is very special."
Director Joseph Kosinski was also thrilled about getting Kilmer to appear in the movie. Similarly, he previously told Total Film that the scene where Cruise and Kilmer reunite as Maverick and Iceman was something "really special" and even one of his favorite parts.
"That was a huge, huge get — having Val come back to play Iceman. To get to work with an actor of that caliber, to see the chemistry, the camaraderie between him and Tom, and to have those two characters reunite in this film, was a really special moment, and one of my favorite parts of the film."
Tom Cruise Praised Lady Gaga's Music
Tom Cruise also spoke about Lady Gaga's involvement in the film in his Entertainment Tonight interview. Just recently, Gaga released the official music video for "Hold My Hand," the new single from the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack. Along with the song, Gaga also worked on the film's score with Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe, and Harold Faltermeyer. Cruise explained how he was impressed with the music she had sent for the film and personally called her to praise her work, letting her know that it was exactly what they were looking for with the sequel's sounds.
"She wrote the score, and it was a moment for all of us when she came in and sent the song. I called her and I was like, 'You're amazing. Thank you. This is our movie.'"
Top Gun: Maverick will be released in movie theaters on May 27, 2022.