The iconic Kelly McGillis, who sizzled onscreen as the love interest of Maverick in the 1986 blockbuster Top Gun, made headlines for her candid admission about why she was not part of the long-awaited sequel, Top Gun: Maverick.
Kelly McGillis created a stir in the entertainment industry with a bold declaration. The move was either brave or a missed opportunity for the film.
Skepticism about Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis’s Chemistry
Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis
In 1986, the Top Gun movie became an instant hit with its thrilling aerial dogfights and the sizzling onscreen chemistry between Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis. However, there were doubts behind the scenes regarding their compatibility.
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Producer David Paul Kirkpatrick revealed that the industry was concerned because McGillis, who stood at 5’11”, appeared too mature and motherly compared to the youthful Maverick, played by Tom Cruise, who stood at 5’7″.
Top Gun
In a medium post, Kirkpatrick reveals that he was initially skeptical about Tom Cruise and Kelly McGillis’s chemistry after their first chemistry meeting. He bluntly stated, ‘”She looks like his mother.”
“Kelly McGillis was much too tall for Tom Cruise. She was 5’11”. He was 5’7″. Besides, she was 27 and he was 24 and the difference was palpable. After I saw them together for a “chemistry meeting” on the Paramount lot, I walked away conclusively uttering, ‘“She looks like his mother.”’
However, their undeniable onscreen chemistry ultimately silenced any doubts about their suitability as co-stars.
Also Read: Tom Hanks Does Not Regret Turning Down Role Written For Him That Later Got Tom Cruise His First Best Actor Oscar Nomination
Kelly McGillis Would Much Rather Feel Secure In Her Own Skin
Kelly McGillis
After years of waiting, Top Gun: Maverick was finally announced, and fans were thrilled to see their favorite characters back on screen.  However, some were confused by the absence of Kelly McGillis. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, McGillis was frank about why she wasn’t part of the sequel.
“I’m old, and I’m fat, and I look age-appropriate for what my age is. That is not what that whole scene is about. But I’d much rather feel absolutely secure in my skin and who and what I am at my age as opposed to placing a value on all that other stuff.”
Kelly McGillis declined the role of Maverick’s love interest in Top Gun: Maverick. The role was given to Jennifer Connelly, who played the character of Penny Benjamin. Penny has a history with Maverick.
Top Gun: Maverick was released in 2022 and was a massive success. It dominated the film season, surpassing Titanic as Paramount’s highest-grossing domestic movie. For Kelly McGillis, life has taken a drastically different path since her Hollywood heydays.
In 2014, McGillis was diagnosed with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that affects the lungs and liver. Since then, her priorities have shifted away from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood to focus on her health and family.

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