DENVER (KDVR) — It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s a — oh wait, it is a plane, and not just any plane.
One of the jets used in the hit sequel “Top Gun: Maverick” made a stop by the Centennial Airport over the weekend.
The jet in question is the F-18 Super Hornet, which is flown by the main crew trained by Tom Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the franchise’s sequel film.
The model of the plane is actually a story-driving force in the movie, as Maverick suggests using the Super Hornets when the technologically advanced F-35s are unavailable to the aspiring pilots.
In the original “Top Gun,” released in 1986, Cruise flew the F-14 Tomcat, which, despite being faster than the Super Hornet, was retired due to advancements in jet design. The F-14 actually makes a brief cameo in the sequel, with Maverick and “Rooster” played by Miles Teller stealing one to shoot down an enemy plane.
“Top Gun” is known for its high-stakes, hyper-realistic flight scenes that feature real stunts with cameras mounted all over the jets. The actors themselves don’t get to fly the jets, as that option is barred by the government, which refuses to let civilians behind the wheel — rightfully so. However, the actors really are up there in the cockpit.
They tormented themselves during hours upon hours of flight training, which included withstanding up to 8G’s of force, so they could handle the actual flights where they shared the cockpit with Navy fighter pilots.
It’s highly unlikely that any of the busy actors made the trip to Colorado for some spare time flying, but the Super Hornet could be seen tearing across the open skies of the Centennial State.
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