History WMG / TopGunMaverick

* [[spoiler:Confirmed.]]

The US Navy retired the F-14 in 2006. The only military in the world still flying the bird is {{UsefulNotes/Iran}}, due to their appropriation during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The mountainous environment seen earlier in the trailer could very easily be in the vicinity of that country or a {{Qurac}}-like analog. It would allow Maverick to return to the Indian Ocean setting of the first film, as well as "avenge" the "dishonor" of the F-14's "theft". It could even setup a showdown between Mav and the semi-mythical [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAIO_Qaher-313 Qaher-313]], a plane, real or not, that seems tailor-made to serve as a cinematic antagonist craft.

How did he remain a Captain for a long time? A naval aviator who reaches the rank of Captain is typically offered two possible command billets. He could have been a CAG (carrier air wing commander) or skipper of a nuclear powered aircraft carrier. Usually, it takes about 22 years to make Captain, after which a CAG command or carrier captaincy lasts for three years. It is possible but very rare for a CAG to take a lateral promotion to carrier skipper, but before doing that, he has to complete a “deep draft command” ie command a large ship such as an oiler or cargo transport which familiarized him with how to manage a large carrier. So, a CAG command, deep draft command and carrier command would have pushed it to nine years as a Captain. With him returning to TOPGUN, that would have pushed it further, but this is most likely his swan song tour.

* Also, Maverick would have been in his element during the UsefulNotes/WarOnTerror - flying lead on missions to support ground troops or airstrikes in the opening of the US offensive. As the Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom ground on, Iceman could have made sure that Maverick wasn't rotated to boring desk jobs or ReassignedToAntarctica.

[[WMG:The funeral shown in the trailer is for Iceman Kazansky [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Creator/ValKilmer (Val Kilmer).]] ]]

* The newest trailer supports elements of this. It very briefly shows off Maverick IN a Tomcat flying against a stealth fighter pulling a crazy manoeuvre. But it's not the 313... It's a Russian built Su-57! In real life, Iran was a major contender to be a Su-57 buyer once. Those plans were damaged after India pulled out of the Su-57 development programme (in favour of their own home-built HAL AMCA). India's departure caused major delays to the 57's development. Iran's plans were then effectively scuttled when sanctions were placed on them for their nuclear programme. The Qahar-313 programme you mention was put together after it became obvious Iran would no longer be able to buy the 57. Maybe Maverick steals the Tomcat from Iran/Qurac and the Su-57 pilot (who may have flown the Tomcat earlier) faces him off to stop him?

[[spoiler:Confirmed.]]

Possibly Jossed: [[spoiler: The latest trailer shows that Iceman is now an admiral and is the one whose recommendation has allowed Maverick to be a trainer at Top Gun.]]

The film apparently mirrors the first in structure; what better way to drive Maverick to an even [i]lower[/i] place than after Goose's death than the death of Goose's kid, for which he would blame himself?

The film's synopsis states that [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Gun:_Maverick Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.]] Given this, and the emphasis in the trailer on Maverick 'refusing to die', the ultimate sacrifice could mean Maverick's death -- making the funeral in the trailer a [[https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BaitAndSwitch Bait and Switch]] since lots of people think it's for Val Kilmer's character, Iceman.

* The newest trailer supports elements of this! It very briefly shows off Maverick IN a Tomcat flying against a stealth fighter pulling a crazy manoeuvre. But it's not the 313... It's a Russian built Su-57! In real life, Iran was a major contender to be a Su-57 buyer once. Those plans were damaged after India pulled out of the Su-57 development programme (in favour of their own home-built HAL AMCA). India's departure caused major delays to the 57's development. Iran's plans were then effectively scuttled when sanctions were placed on them for their nuclear programme. The Qahar-313 programme you mention was put together after it became obvious Iran would no longer be able to buy the 57. Maybe Maverick steals the Tomcat from Iran/Qurac and the Su-57 pilot (who may have flown the Tomcat earlier) faces him off to stop him?

* The newest trailer supports elements of this! Iran used to have an excellently trained Air Force, so it wouldn't be out there. The most successful Tomcat pilot ever was Iranian after all, with 14 kills. The trailer very briefly shows off Maverick IN a Tomcat against a Su-57, which is Russia's much-vaunted new Stealth Fighter. In real life, Iran was a major contender to be a Su-57 buyer once. Those plans were damaged after India pulled out of the Su-57 development programme in favour of their own home-built HAL AMCA, causing massive delays, and then effectively scuttled when sanctions were placed on them for their nuclear programme. The Qahar-313 programme you mention was put together after it became obvious Iran would no longer be able to but the 57. Maybe Maverick steals the Tomcat from Qurac/Iran/Whatever and faces off against the Tomcat's actual pilot, now in the Su-57?

Possibly Jossed: [[spoiler: The latest trailer shows that Iceman is now an admiral and is the one who's recommendation has allowed Maverick to be a trainer at Top Gun.]]

[[WMG:The funeral shown in the trailer is for Iceman Kazansky (Val Kilmer).]]

[[WMG:The Tomcat at the end of the trailer isn't Maverick, it's the villain.]]

! The Tomcat at the end of the trailer isn't Maverick, it's the villain.

! How did Maverick stay in the Navy so long?

Easy. He put the brakes on his career and let everyone else fly right past him.

The US Navy retired the F-14 in 2006. The only military in the world still flying the bird is {{UsefulNotes/Iran}}, due to their appropriation during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The mountainous environment seen earlier in the trailer could very easily be in the vicinity of that country or a {{Qurac}}-like analog. It would allow Maverick to return to the Indian Ocean setting of the first film, as well as "avenge" the "dishonor" of the F-14's "theft". It could even setup a showdown between Mav and the semi-mythical [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAIO_Qaher-313 Qaher-313]], a plane, real or not, that seems tailor-made to serve as a cinematic antagonist craft.

The US Navy retired the F-14 in 2006. The only military in the world still flying the bird is {{UsefulNotes/Iran}}, due to their appropriation during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The mountainous environment seen earlier in the trailer could very easily be in the vicinity of that country or a {{Qurac}}-like analog. It would allow Maverick to return to the Indian Ocean setting of the first film, as well as "avenge" the "dishonor" of the F-14's "theft". It could even setup a showdown between Mav and the semi-mythical [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IAIO_Qaher-313 Qaher-313], a plane, real or not, that seems tailor-made to serve as a cinematic antagonist craft.