Fans of the original Top Gun film still can’t forget one of the most tragic movie deaths from the iconic film starring Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards, Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis. Top Gun’s Goose (Anthony Edwards) ejected from the F-14 Tomcat a little too early before the canopy fully cleared his path resulting in his death. His legacy would continue in the box-office hit Top Gun: Maverick through his son Rooster played by Miles Teller.
Despite Top Gun’s Goose actor not being able to appear in the sequel, Edwards saw the movie ahead of its official premiere. The actor praised the accomplishments and said it was surely “mission accomplished” for Top Gun: Maverick star Tom Cruise and the rest of the production crew.
“With something that successful, people had a certain feeling at the original one, and [the sequel] does exactly what it felt like seeing the first time, only more,” Edwards shared with Entertainment Tonight. “So, as I said to Tom, mission accomplished. That’s a lot of work that went into that, but it had the feel and it had the tone. It had what people wanted.”
“It’s the biggest movie that I’m in that I never had to show up for a day of work,” said Edwards jokingly.
While Edwards didn’t shoot any scenes for Top Gun: Maverick, he was shown through old pictures, flashbacks and Edwards’ Goose still played a pivotal role in the overall plot. Maverick would receive orders to return to Top Gun and train younger elite Navy pilots for a dangerous mission. One of those pilots was Rooster who resents Maverick for the death of his father. Their relationship, both professional and personal, would be tested as the film’s story would progress.
“I think I’d seen it enough,” Teller said in a recent interview with ComicBook.com. “I knew what Goose represented and that people talk about Goose today. And Anthony, that character will stick with him forever. It’s such a popular character in such a positive way. Everybody wants a Goose, everyone could use a Goose in their lives. So, I tried to carry that for sure.”
See what the critics are raving about with Top Gun: Maverick. Now playing in theaters now.
