Top Gun: Maverickis one of the biggest blockbusters since the 2020 pandemic. The film sees Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) return to the esteemed school, Top Gun, to lead a group of young aviators on a near-impossible mission. Seeing Tom Cruise return to Top Gun over 30 years later was a memorable sight.Top Gun: Maverickfeatures familiar faces, new characters, and even appearances of characters who were only mentioned by name. This is a complete character guide forTop Gun: Maverick.Now that the biggest film of the year is available to stream exclusively on Paramount+, we’ve got you covered on who’s who.
Related:When Will ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Be Available To Stream?
Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell
The main character of bothTop Gunfilms is Maverick himself, Pete Mitchell, played by the legendary Tom Cruise. Maverick started as a loose cannon who marched at the beat of his own drum. After the death of his best friend, Goose (Anthony Edwards), Maverick learned to grow up and become one of the best aviators in the Navy. When we meet Maverick in the Top Gun sequel, he is still as stubborn as ever, but now he’s often fighting for others. Once he’s tasked with returning to Top Gun, Maverick’s number one priority is making sure the pilots return home from their mission with zero casualties.
Tom Cruise is one of the biggest stars on the planet. you’re able to see him inEdge of Tomorrow, theMission Impossibleseries, andAmerican Made; his upcoming films includeMission Impossible: Dead Reckoning(Parts 1 and 2), with bothLuna ParkandEdge of Tomorrow 2in development.
Val Kilmeras Adm. Tom “Iceman” Kazansky
Top Gun: Maverickwent so far as to make Kilmer’s real-life battle with cancer a part of Iceman’s character. The Iceman graduated Top Gun alongside Maverick. The two didn’t see eye-to-eye at first, but they became best friends by the end of the first film.Val Kilmerdelivers a terrific performance as Ice, andTop Gun: Maverickallowed the actor to return to the role. Kilmer had to retire from acting due to throat cancer so the film might be Kilmer’s last role, making it all the more touching.
Val Kilmer has a stellar filmography. Some of his most iconic work includesTombstone,Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, andHeat. He’s also known for starring inJoel Schumacher’s cult classic,Batman Forever.
Miles Telleras Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw
Miles Tellerstars as Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw. The son of Nick ‘Goose’ Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) and Carole Bradshaw (Meg Ryan), Rooster and Maverick’s relationship is one of the film’s most significant sources of tension. After the death of Goose in the first film, Maverick feels guilt but also a duty to take care of Carole and Bradley. This leads to friction between Bradley and Maverick since Carole doesn’t want Bradley to be an aviator and get killed like his father. As a favor to Carole, Maverick sets Rooster back three years.
This doesn’t stop Rooster, and he becomes a solid naval aviator. Good enough to be invited back to Top Gun, where Maverick confronts him. The two have a unique relationship, and Rooster is one of the standout characters. Miles Teller is best known for his performances inWhiplash,War Dogs, andFantastic Four(2015). His most recent film isSpiderhead, and his upcoming projects areThe Ark and the Aardvark,The Fence, andThe Gorgewhere he’ll star alongsideAnya Taylor-Joy.
Jennifer Connellyas Penny Benjamin
Penny is a character that was referenced in the originalTop Gunbut didn’t make an appearance untilTop Gun Maverick. Penny and Maverick have had an on-again-off-again relationship for years, and we see their latest encounter inTop Gun: Maverick. Penny has a daughter named Amelia and owns a bar near Top Gun.Jennifer Connellybrings Penny Benjamin to life. Penny and Mav rekindle their relationship during his time back, and hopefully, it will last. She might be Maverick’s oldest and closest friend, making their bond all the more important to him. Connelly’s notable works includeA Beautiful Mind,Requiem For a Dream, andLabyrinth. Connelly will next be seen inAlice Englert’s feature directorial debutBad Behavior, where she’ll star oppositeBen Whishaw.
Lyliana Wray as Amelia Benjamin
Amelia Benjamin is Penny’s daughter. She loves her mother and has a good rapport with Maverick. With the stranger nature of Penny and Maverick’s relationship, Amelia simply wants what’s best for her mother.Lyliana Wrayhas guest-starred onBlack-ish,The Night Shift, andStrange Angel.
Glen Powellas Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin
Lt. Jake Seresin is one of the best pilots in Top Gun, but he’s reckless and leaves his fellow aviators hanging, hence the name. Ironically, Hangman isn’t so different from Maverick during his first stint at Top Gun. In a way, Hangman and Rooster mirror Maverick and Iceman.Glen Powell’s charisma is on full display as Hangman. The actor initially auditioned for the role of Rooster but later took on the part of Hangman aftera conversation with Tom Cruise. Glen Powell previously starred inSet It Up,Scream Queens, andThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. He most recently starred in another aviation-themed film,Devotion, where he starred oppositeJonathan Majors. Powell’s career has exploded since the release of Top Gun: Maverick landing leading roles in high-profile projects likeRichard Linklater’s action-comedyHitman, theKat Coiro-directed buddy-comedyForeign Relationswhere he’ll play oppositeNick Jonas, and the big-budget Prime Video original seriesButch & Sundancewhich also starsRegé-Jean Pageand is a reboot of the classic filmButch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid.
Monica Barbaro as Lt. Natasha “Phoenix” Trace
Phoenix is one of two female pilots invited to Top Gun. She is often at odds with Hangman and a friend to Rooster and the rest of the aviators.Monica Barbarois best known for her time onChicago Justice,The Good Cop, andSplitting Up Together. Her next projects will be a voice-role in the Netflix anime seriesArmy of the Dead: Lost Vegasand playing the co-lead in theArnold Schwarzenegger-led Netflix seriesUtap.
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Lewis Pullmanas Lt. Robert “Bob” Floyd
Bob becomes Phoenix’s second seat and a trusted friend. His name is Bob, and his call sign is Bob, making for pretty funny banter between him and his fellow pilots. Lewis Pullman has previously appeared inBad Times at the El Royale,Catch-22, andThem That Follow. His subsequent appearances are inThelma,Auxiliary Man,Salem’s Lot, and theBrie Larson-led Apple seriesLessons in Chemistry.
Jay Ellisas Lt. Reuben “Payback” Fitch
Payback and his partner Fanboy prove to be terrific pilots under Maverick’s teachings. So much so that they are chosen as major players in the upcoming mission. Jay Ellis starred as Payback and was previously seen inInsecure,Mrs. America, andMasters of Sex. His next role is in the forthcoming film,Someone I Used to Knowfrom directorDave Franco.
Danny Ramirez as Lt. Mickey “Fanboy” Garcia
Fanboy is Payback’s flight partner and operates the backseat controls. He serves the same role Bob does for Pheonix or what Goose did for Maverick.Danny Ramirezmost recently appeared inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier,Assassination Nation, andNo Exit. His upcoming projects arePlus/Minus,Chestnut, andCaptain America: New World Order.
Bashir Salahuddinas Wo-1. Bernie “Hondo” Coleman
Bernie is a Warrant Officer Rank 1 and is working on a program that Maverick is test-piloting. When Maverick gets called back to Top Gun, Hondo goes with him and becomes his assistant coach.Bashir Salahuddinis the writer and star ofSherman’s Showcase, where he plays Sherman McDaniels. He has also appeared inRobot Chicken,The Dropout, and has an upcoming project titledParadise.
Jon Hammas Adm. Beau “Cyclone” Simpson
Admiral Simpson is tasked with overseeing Maverick’s mission. He doesn’t tolerate Maverick’s shenanigans and doesn’t think he’s the man for the job. Cyclone is very strict and has a no-nonsense attitude, making him the perfect foil for Maverick.Jon Hamis best known as Don Draper from Mad Men. He has also appeared inTag,Baby Driver,The Town, and he most recently starred in the title role inConfess, Fletch. 2023 looks to be a huge year for Hamm, he’ll be reprising his role as Gabriel in Season 2 ofGood Omens, will be joining the cast of Season 3 of the Apple original seriesThe Morning Show, will play one of the leads in Season 5 ofFargo, he’ll lend his voice to the animated comedy series Grimsburg, and will star inJohn Slattery’s directorial debutMaggie Moore(s).
Charles Parnell as Adm. Solomon “Warlock” Bates
Admiral Bates is much more forgiving of Maverick’s past and wants to support him. Warlock works alongside Cyclone and offers a less-strict approach to the situation at hand.Charles Parnellhas starred in many projects, including,The Last Ship,The Venture Bros., and Transformers: Age of Extinction. He most recently appeared in the FX seriesKindred. He is slated to appear inMission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part OneandDavid Fincher’s action-noir filmThe Killer.
Ed Harrisas Rear Admiral Chaster “Hammer” Cain
Ed Harrishas a brief appearance inTop Gun: Maverick, but his presence is felt. We meet Hammer when Maverick is attempting to push his plane to Mach 10 to save the program he’s currently test-piloting for. Hammer arrives to shut down the program in person, and Maverick is flying overhead as he comes. Hammer later informs Maverick that Iceman wants him to report to Top Gun. Ed Harris is known for his roles inThe Truman Show,Apollo 13,Westworld, andPollock. His upcoming projects includeLove Lies Bleeding,Downtown Owl, andGet Away If you’re able to.
