Jerry Bruckheimer on ‘Top Gun: Maverick,‘ Collaborating With Tom Cruise and the Movie’s ’Dangerous’ Aerial Work
variety.comTim Gray Senior Vice President With 20/20 hindsight, the mega-success of Paramount’s “Top Gun: Maverick” might seem inevitable, since it is a sequel to a familiar title, and it stars Tom Cruise.
Of course nothing is a sure bet. And even with its popularity, there was no assurance Academy voters would embrace it. But the film earned $1.48 billion at the worldwide box office and scored Oscar noms for best picture, adapted screenplay, editing, sound, song (by Lady Gaga and BloodPop) and visual effects.
The best picture nom recognizes four producers: Tom Cruise, David Ellison, Christopher McQuarrie and, after nearly 50 years in the industry, Jerry Bruckheimer, who is celebrating his first Oscar nomination.
A producer’s roles can change from film to film but Bruckheimer is consistently hands-on for every step. As Disney’s Sean Bailey told Variety in 2013: “He knows every detail of each picture.” Asked what step was the most difficult with “Maverick,” Bruckheimer tells Variety, “They’re all fraught with problems.
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