The US Navy retired the F-14 in 2006. The only military in the world still flying the bird is 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 Qaher-313
, a plane, real or not, that seems tailor-made to serve as a cinematic antagonist craft.
- Confirmed.
Easy. He put the brakes on his career and let everyone else fly right past him.
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.
- Kind of - along with not making an effort for promotion (he's a Thrill Seeker who wants to fly instead of being a Desk Jockey), his Military Maverick style ensured he only escaped dishonorable discharges because Iceman was promoted and had Maverick's back.
- Also, Maverick would have been in his element during the opening stages of the War on Terror - 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 Reassigned to Antarctica. That's why he's a test pilot - until that Admiral came to shut down the program, he was in his element.
- The US Naval Institute informs us that he could still be a Captain in 2019 if he spends a few (5 or more) years in the reserves during his career, such as during the stand-down between the Gulf War and Bosnia (1991-97).
- One of the younger pilots is mentioned as being the only naval aviator on active duty to shoot down an enemy aircraft, and the film later establishes Maverick's own air-to-air bona fides, so it is implied that he has been in the Reserves for at least a while, presumably part of how he ended up working for Lockheed Martin as a test pilot.
If he hasn't been shown in person in any of the trailers by now, chances are he's going to be the one in the casket.
- Confirmed, although he does appear in the film as well.
The film's synopsis states that 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 Bait and Switch since lots of people think it's for Val Kilmer's character, Iceman. screenrant.com would disagree because they think it's Tom Skerritt's character, Viper.
- Jossed by new trailer footage - Maverick is seen hammering his Aviator wings into the casket lid.
The film apparently mirrors the first in structure; what better way to drive Maverick to an even lower place than after Goose's death than the death of Goose's kid, for which he would blame himself?
- Jossed. He is at the funeral.
During the climactic battle, Rooster tells Maverick, quoting something his father Goose said in the first film, "C'mon, Mav, do some of that pilot shit." Or does he? How does he know to quote Goose so exactly? The answer is, he didn't. Maverick said "Talk to me, Goose." and Goose did from the afterlife.
- Also, how else could Rooster figure out how to finally turn on the Tomcat’s backseat avionics? After all, that was his “dad’s department.”
That coastline is way too snowy for subtropical Iran, more befitting the Arctic. The film takes place in an alternate history with a different Cold War leading to things like the MiG-28. The breakup of the Soviet Union lead to a more weakened Russia surrendering or greatly reducing its nukes, a commitment it is now going back on. Aerospace divergences like the MiG-28 could also lead to more Su-57s flying than actually in service in real life with the VVS. The F-14s in the process of being upgraded for another country or as an oligarch's pet project.
- It could possibly be North Korea, a mountainous country with a rogue nuclear program in a much colder climate than Iran. The F-14s could have been sold to North Korea by Iran.
Only a couple of pilots have survived supersonic ejections, and those were barely at Mach 1. The chances of Maverick surviving an ejection at Mach 10 are very, very slim. It seems more likely that Maverick died when the plane exploded, and his last moments were a Dying Dream/wish fulfillment that tied up every loose end in his life:
- He ends up with his on-again/off-again girlfriend, The One That Got Away
- He reconnects with and receives validation from Iceman
- He cements his legacy by becoming the first US Ace since the Vietnam war
- He proves the value of manned fighters vs. unmanned drones, ensuring pilots like him will always have a place
- He finally comes to term with Goose's death by befriending and saving the life of Goose's son
Yeah, I know, it's the most cliched of cliches, and I wouldn't even bring it up, except — Penny's daughter is named Amelia. As in Amelia Earhart, the most famous female pilot in history. Theme naming/like father, like daughter, perhaps?note
It's one thing to date a hot-shot pilot who learns to grow and take responsibility, but Maverick still is the Military Maverick. His lack of playing by the rules didn't sit well with Charlie - she has to work with Navy brass in her job and the subject of Mavrick's antics would come up. Maverick being booted from Top Gun after two months would be a sore spot for Mav - especially if Charlie stayed in her position as an instructor.
Their relationship just couldn't take the stain and they broke up - also Maverick was still carrying a torch for Penny.
