The Cast of ‘Top Gun,’ Then and Now

Ever since the first trailer dropped, it was clear the long-awaited sequel to

1986’s high-flying classic Top Gun would tug at the heart strings

with nostalgic imagery emulating the first film.

From the blood-pumping aerial combat maneuvers to shirtless volleyball games,

Top Gun: Maverick follows in the footsteps of the Tony Scott-directed original,

which took home a worldwide gross of $356 million according to Box Office Mojo.

The original film featured a cast of popular actors whose careers would mostly blossom in the years after release,

but Top Gun will always be remembered as the film that turned Tom Cruise

from teenage heartthrob to true leading man, one death-defying scene at a time.