Paramount and Bruckheimer Films went aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier through August 25 to shoot operations on the flight deck for a new film.
Filming took place for the “Top Gun” sequel that began in late-May. Production was said to take place briefly aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln last week. The Carrier Air Wing Seven was also said to be featured, WAVY reported.
Tom Cruise, the star of the film, announced the start of production in May by posting an Instagram photo that said, “Feel the Need.”
Cruise will reprise his original role of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Miles Teller, who is playing the son of Goose, Maverick’s co-pilot in the original film.
Top Gun, released in 1986, was said to generate many enlistments in the military after its release. The sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick” is scheduled to be released July 12, 2019.
Last week, Cmdr. Dave Hecht with Naval Air Force Atlantic confirmed that a 15-person crew from Paramount and Bruckheimer Films would be on deck for filming footage of F/A-18 carrier qualification takeoffs and landings.
Hecht said in a statement: “Top Gun inspired countless men and women to volunteer to protect and defend our country as Naval aviators and the crew of USS Abraham Lincoln are excited to play a small role in bringing this story back to the silver screen and inspiring another generation to serve in the world’s finest Navy.”
Sending all our “lovin’ feelings” to the crew of Norfolk-based carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln @CVN_72 as they film flying sequences for the sequel of Top Gun this week https://t.co/zcUiphZWbF
— VisitNorfolk (@VisitNorfolkVA) August 23, 2018
None of the film’s actors, including Cruise, were aboard during the shoot, a Navy spokesperson confirmed.
Spokesperson Lt. Cdr. Daniel Day said: “The Navy is supporting one shoot this week aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, per a Production Assistance Agreement signed by Paramount (Pictures) and the Department of Defense.”
“Our priority will always be warfighting, and training combat-ready Naval aviation forces … That being said, we believe we can support the film and simultaneously achieve training objectives,” he added.
Day also said that the production companies would reimburse the Navy for any costs incurred from flying sequences that were not aligned with Navy training objectives.
