Why Ridley Scott said no to direct ‘Top Gun: Maverick’?
- Ridley Scott, brother of original director Tony Scott, declined the offer to direct the sequel to “Top Gun.”
- The film was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who also directed “True Romance” and “Man on Fire.”
- Scott expressed his love for his brother and the success of the sequel.
While “Top Gun: Maverick” dominated the box office, it lacked the presence of its original director, Tony Scott. Ridley Scott, his brother, was offered the chance to direct the new installment but declined.
Recently, the director—known for remarkable films like “Gladiator”—opened up about the offer and shared why he had turned it down, leaving everyone a bit emotional.
Ridley Scott revealed in an interview with “The Hollywood Reporter” that he was initially offered the film. He explained, “I said, ‘I don’t want to follow my brother.’ Tony was always interested in today.”
The “House of Gucci” director mentioned that he bases many of his projects on history. When he doesn’t, he prefers creating movies rooted in fantasy or exploring science fiction stories.
“Tony didn’t like fantasy,” the filmmaker added.
Joseph Kosinski later directed “Top Gun: Maverick”. For those unfamiliar, Tony Scott directed the original “Top Gun” in 1986, which became an action-adventure classic. His other beloved films include “True Romance” and “Man on Fire”. The highly acclaimed director died by suicide in August 2012 at the age of 68.
Joseph Kosinski has also directed notable films like “Only the Brave” and the 2010 sequel to the iconic movie “Tron”, titled “Tron: Legacy”, among others.
When “The Hollywood Reporter” asked if he wanted to add anything about his brother, “Exodus: Gods and Kings” director Ridley Scott responded touchingly, “I miss my brother.” Just as the original “Top Gun” made a tremendous impact worldwide, its sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick”, also became a major hit.
Tom Cruise leads the movie, returning as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. In this latest installment, Maverick trains a new generation of pilots. The film also features Miles Teller and Glen Powell, with Val Kilmer reprising his iconic role as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky from the original.
Meanwhile, prepare for another blockbuster as Ridley Scott returns with the sequel to “Gladiator”. Paul Mescal leads an impressive cast that includes Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and more. “Gladiator II” is set to hit theaters on November 22, 2024.
