“Crash and burn, huh, Mav?”
Well, it looks like the long-in-development sequel to the Tony Scott/Tom Cruise aerial actioner TOP GUN is down and out after the famed director’s death a few months ago. Just prior to his death, Scott had been working with Cruise, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie on the planned sequel, which had finally picked up some steam and looked to shoot relatively soon.
According to the New York Times, the film is now in trouble:
“…the sequel has fallen apart. And Paramount and its partners are left with a 3-D film that might be perceived by moviegoers as a tribute to a director whose death remains a mystery to many friends and associates. It might also become a final box-office triumph — but only if the studio can reach the audience without seeming insensitive or exploitative.”
Certainly, the marketing of a re-release of TOP GUN could be troublesome, but I don’t think it would be as difficult as they seem to think. As big a name as Tony Scott was to film fans (he’s one of my all-time favs) he wasn’t exactly a household name. I mean, really, does Paramount think people will turn out at theaters protesting a re-release of TOP GUN? It’s a classic, for sure, but for reasons pertaining to fast-moving F-14 jets, fist-pumping on motorcycles, music video make-out sessions, and a shirtless volleyball sequence that highlights all of it’s main stars (Val Kilmer especially) in their prime, all under a Kenny Loggins soundtrack. It’s not exactly SCHINDLER’S LIST we’re talking about here.
Apparently, “Scott contributed and responded enthusiastically to the conversion in the weeks before his death” so that’s enough for me to give the Maverick thumbs up for a 3D release. Personally, I’d love the opportunity to see a Tony Scott film on the big screen again (marathon anyone?). If RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and TITANIC can do it, I’m sure TOP GUN will have a fine limited run.
As for TOP GUN 2, I’m on the fence. While it’s a damn shame that we won’t ever see Tony Scott’s version, a part of me would really like to see what they would do to Maverick’s character at the end of his career. Could be really cool.
In the end, it doesn’t matter if TOP GUN 2 is ever released. Tony Scott will always be my wingman. TOP GUN 3D is looking at a potential limited release in February 2013. More as this develops.