"Thank god we waited": 'Top Gun Maverick' filmmakers talk box office, Oscars and a third film

Record ID: 1686061

  • Title: "Thank god we waited": 'Top Gun Maverick' filmmakers talk box office, Oscars and a third film
  • Date: 23rd August 2022
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (FILE - MAY 19, 2022) (Reuters) VARIOUS OF PRODUCER JERRY BRUCKHEIMER WITH HIS WIFE LINDA AT LONDON PREMIERE
  • Embargoed: 6th September 2022 10:54
  • Keywords: Box office Jerry Bruckheimer Joseph Kosinski Oscars Sequel Success Top Gun: Maverick
  • Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES; UNIDENTIFIED FILMING LOCATIONS.
  • City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM; SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES; UNIDENTIFIED FILMING LOCATIONS.
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film,United States
  • Reuters ID: LVA004960519082022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: 'Top Gun: Maverick' has been the box office success of 2022, raking in around $1.4 billion globally.
    It's currently set to overtake 'Avengers: Infinity War' to the sixth spot in the top US box office films of all time.
    What's even more remarkable about those numbers is the film's release was delayed several times, mostly due to the coronavirus pandemic. For director Joseph Kosinski and star and producer Tom Cruise, it's been a huge surprise.
    Kosinksi told Reuters he's been in touch with Cruise "many, many times" as the movie continued its box office reign.
    He added "We talk a lot or e-mail a lot because I think we just can't believe how well the movie's been received, you know. It's what we were striving for, it's what we worked for, it's what you dream about when you're working on a film that it will touch this many people but I don't think any of us could have expected this."
    Jerry Bruckheimer produced both the original 1986 'Top Gun' as well as 'Maverick' and believes he has the answer to the box office success.
    He said "Tom has made so many films with so many talented actors and writers and directors and we're the fortunate ones who have taken that knowledge that he's learned through those years and he's imparted them on 'Top Gun' and that's why it's the big success that it's become. It's all his efforts to make this as good as it could be. He always said 'We have to hit a bullet with a bullet on this movie' and we worked very hard to do that."
    The film, which is having its digital release on August 23 while still continuing to thrive in theaters, has been hailed as the savior of cinema by many.
    Kosinski noted "people kind of come up to me as they do almost every day and just talk about falling in love with going to the movies again."
    Hollywood blockbusters often fail to be recognized at the Oscars, with the Academy voters often opting for smaller films. The last blockbuster to win best picture was 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' in 2003.
    However, with Hollywood struggling through the global pandemic, is it time to favor the film that brought people back to cinemas?
    "Well, my thoughts are the Academy will decide if it's worthy of an Oscar," said Bruckheimer, adding "I think it's a great film, audiences think it's a great film. We make it for theaters, we make it for audiences, we make it for all the people behind the scenes who are thrilled to be a part of 'Top Gun' and we hope the Academy and the voting body will see it the same way."
    And with the success of both the original 'Top Gun' and now 'Top Gun: Maverick', is there a chance for a third film?
    "I have no idea," said Bruckheimer. "Hopefully the audience would like another one and other people would like it but it comes down to... can we come up with the right story? Does Tom actually want to do another one? It's very hard when you make two movies that captured the emotions of the world and to try and do a third one is even harder than to do a second one," he added.
    Top Gun: Maverick is in theaters and on Digital now.
    (Production: Rollo Ross)
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