Tom Cruise has confirmed he never considered letting Top Gun: Maverick debut on streaming, despite numerous release date delays brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new action movie sees Cruise reprise his role as naval aviator Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell more than 30 years after the original iconic 1986 film, which rocketed the actor to superstardom.
Top Gun: Maverick‘s original premiere date of 24th June 2020 was delayed by nearly two years as a result of the pandemic, with the movie now set to release in cinemas on 24th May 2022.
But despite the pandemic continually pushing back the date, Cruise has revealed he took a hard stance against his blockbuster going to streaming first – a fate that befell many other films during the pandemic.
![""]("https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/3/2019/12/Tom-Cruise-in-Top-Gun-Maverick-848e653.jpg?quality=90&crop=4px%2C3px%2C864px%2C575px&resize=620%2C413" "\"\"")
Speaking on Wednesday (18th May) at the Cannes Film Festival, Cruise was asked whether he had considered a streaming-first release for Top Gun: Maverick.
“That was not going to happen ever,” Cruise responded, according to Variety. “I make movies for the big screen.
“I’ve spent a lot of time with theatre owners. The people that serve the popcorn, the ones who make this [happen].”
He added that he called movie theatre owners with the message: “Please, I know what you’re going through. Just know we are making Mission: Impossible and Top Gun is coming out.”
Top Gun: Maverick arrives in cinemas later this month, and the sequel has already received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike, particularly when the movie premiered at last month’s CinemaCon.
RadioTimes.com has given the movie a glowing review, saying that “it improves upon the earlier film in just about every way”.
Read more:
- Top Gun: Maverick director explains why female characters didn’t return
- Meet the cast of Top Gun: Maverick
- Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack – All the songs in the sequel
Top Gun: Maverick is released in cinemas on 27th May 2022. While you’re waiting, visit our Movies hub for more news and features or find something to watch tonight with our TV Guide.
The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now – subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only £1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.