Top Gun 2: Is Maverick Actually Dead For The Entire Movie? – wild fan theory

• “Top Gun 2: Maverick” is brimming with illogical twists and triumphs over certain death.
• A new fan theory now posits that main character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell is dead for most of the film.
• You can find out all about it here.

Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise, once again makes the impossible possible in “Top Gun 2”. In the late sequel to “Top Gun”, the sprightly flyer completes an almost hopeless mission that is characterized by numerous hair-raising twists and turns and rescues at the last second.

All of this may be (and ultimately probably is) standard action cinema fare, but according to a new, extremely interesting fan theory, the plot and flying action of “Top Gun 2: Maverick”, which seem so unreal and surreal at times, is in fact, it is based on something completely different.

Warning: From here on, there are spoilers for the plot and the end of “Top Gun 2: Maverick”

At the beginning of Top Gun 2, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell tests a US Navy hypersonic aircraft. At the same time, Rear Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain (Ed Harris) is on his way to stamp out the Darkstar program in favor of unmanned drones.

In the stratosphere, Maverick first reaches Mach 9 with his jet, and then even Mach 10, saving the project. But Maverick wouldn’t be Maverick if he didn’t go one better here. The incorrigible speed freak and thrill seeker keeps pushing his jet past Mach 10 – with devastating consequences.

Next, viewers see a shot from the ground as the hypersonic jet breaks up high in the air. The flaming inferno doesn’t seem survivable – and yet Tom Cruise – visibly shaken up, but also surprisingly unhurt – then stands in a diner and asks for a glass of water.

Exciting “Top Gun 2” fan theory: Maverick is actually dead for the entire film

According to the fan theory mentioned at the beginning (via Vulture) Maverick died at that moment. The remainder of the film is now Maverick’s “Death Dream,” the over-confident ace pilot’s fantasy, which he experiences in an “eternal moment” burning up in the stratosphere.

In fact, this theory makes a lot of sense w hen considering the subsequent plot of Top Gun 2: Maverick. Because of course Maverick – after the destruction of the certainly extremely expensive test plane – is the only pilot who can make the impossible mission possible. But not only that, he also sits in the cockpit himself, although he should actually only act as a teacher.

Maverick finds peace in Top Gun 2

Also occurs afterwards with Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller) the son of his late Top Gun buddy “Goose”. In his first scene, “Rooster” is dressed like his father and sports the same mustache. He sits down at the piano and – like his father in “Top Gun” – plays Great Balls of Fire.

But are we really dealing with a living person here, or is Maverick just fantasizing about how he can still be reconciled with “Goose” – which in truth has been denied to him?

Maverick’s other significant relationships in Top Gun 2 can be read in a similar way. There is harmony between him and his former tough competitor Iceman (Val Kilmer). Iceman, now admiral, recommends Maverick for the mission.

And even a happily ending relationship with Penny (Jennifer Connelly) fantasizes about the – according to the theory deceased – Maverick – also something that has so far been denied to him in his life…

But of course the Maverick-is-in-“Top Gun 2”-actually-dead theory is more of a false assumption. Rather, the aviator played by Tom Cruise triumphs over certain death again and again, simply and strictly according to blockbuster logic.