‘Top Gun’ actor Barry Tubb sues Paramount Pictures for using his image in ‘Maverick’ sequel

nypost.com:

original “Top Gun” film as Wolfman, filed a lawsuit against Paramount+ claiming that the streaming giant used a photo of him without his permission in the 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Tubb’s lawsuit refers to a scene when Hangman (Glen Powell) and Coyote (Greg Tarzan Davis) discover that Rooster Bradshaw (Miles Teller) is actually the late Goose’s (Anthony Edwards) son.

In the scene, Bradshaw points out a tarnished photo of the Top Gun Class of 1986, which features Wolfman, Goose, Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Iceman (Val Kilmer).Tubb, 61, argues that his permission to use his likeness “did not include the use of his image in the sequel,” court documents obtained by The Post state.“When the plaintiff entered into his contract with Paramount movie sequels were virtually nonexistent,” the documents read. “This is to indicate that no sequel was contemplated by either the plaintiff or Paramount when the contract between them was entered into on June 5, 1985.” The documents further state that Paramount knowingly used Tubb’s image “in key scenes of the sequel” and didn’t attempt to seek permission from the actor.

Tubb’s 33-page document reveals that the actor is currently seeking damages and injunctive relief for an undisclosed amount, though given that the flick made nearly $1.5 billion at the box office, the amount is sure to be high.In “Top Gun: Maverick,” Cruise, 61, returned as United States Navy Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell 30 years later.

The film also featured the return of Kilmer as Maverick’s nemesis, Iceman, which caused the “Mission Impossible” star to tear up. “I’ve known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character — he’s such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character.