‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Takes Over Cannes, With Fighter Jets and a Surprise Palme d’Or for Tom Cruise
variety.comTop Gun: Maverick” unspooled at the film’s Cannes premiere on Wednesday night, festival-goers made it clear that they think Tom Cruise is magnifique.The actor received a thunderous ovation after he was presented with a “surprise” Palme d’Or, one that genuinely seemed to take him off guard.
He had received another ovation after making some spirited introductory remarks.It was an extravaganza that included the appearance of eight fighter jets bellowing red, white and blue smoke behind them as Cruise and other members of the film’s cast looked on from the red carpet below.
Those colors are featured prominently in both the French and American flags, in a fitting piece of symmetry. And it served as the culmination of a day celebrating the enduring star wattage of Cruise, one that also included a “Master Class” with the actor.
At both the event and the premiere, attendees were treated to a montage of his greatest hits, from “Risky Business” to “Mission: Impossible.” But it was a celebration that had been a long-time coming. “Top Gun: Maverick” was slated to debut in 2019, before special-effects worked resulted in a push back to 2020.
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