Barry Tubb, who portrayed Leonard “Wolfman” Wolfe in the original 1986Top Gun, has filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures. The actor alleges that the studio used his likeness in the 2022 sequel without his permission, adding a layer of controversy to the movie’s massive success.
According to reports fromEntertainment Weekly, Tubb’s legal complaint focuses on a scene inTop Gun: Maverickthat features a photograph of his character alongside other key figures from the first film. Tubb claims that this image was an altered version of a behind-the-scenes shot and that its use in the sequel was unauthorized. His legal action demands a jury trial and compensation, alleging infringement of his copyright. Paramount has yet to respond to the allegations.
Top Gun: Maverickhas encountered legal issues before, this not being its initial instance. Shortly after its release, the family of Ehud Yonay, whose 1983 article “Top Guns” inspired the original movie, accused Paramount of copyright infringement. They argued that the sequel copied significant parts of Yonay’s work without proper authorization. Nonetheless, Joseph Kosinski, the director, refuted this accusation, attributing the scene’s inspiration to his personal experiences.
Top Gun Maverick: 10 Reasons it Surpasses the Original
As one of the biggest action films in recent cinematic history, here’s why Top Gun: Maverick ended up better than the original.
The legal disputes surroundingTop Gun: Maverickcast a shadow over its financial triumph. The movie, showcasingTom Cruise’s comeback as Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and a new crop of aviators, has earned over $1.46 billion globally. The iconic action movie’s sequel arrived after much anticipation, stirring up excitement and nostalgia from the original.
Uncertain Horizons: Casting and Legal Challenges for the Next Top Gun
AsParamount considers the possibility of a thirdTop Guninstallment, the outcome of these lawsuits could have significant implications. The studio will likely be cautious about including references to Tubb’s Wolfman character in any future projects. The legal issues also raise questions about how the film industry handles copyright and likeness rights, especially in sequels and reboots that draw heavily from their predecessors.
Thepotential cast forTop Gun 3remains uncertain, with no clear indication of who might return from the original film or the ‘Maverick’ cast. While Paramount is undoubtedly keen on having Cruise reprise his role, the involvement of other stars like Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Monica Barbaro, and Lewis Pullman is also anticipated. However, the return of original cast members seems less likely, given the current legal challenges.
The legal turbulence surroundingTop Gun: Maverickunderscores the complexities of intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, the effect on the ‘Top Gun’ franchise’s future and the broader film production and copyright law realm will be noteworthy. It will be intriguing to observe the impact of the case’s progression on the ‘Top Gun’ franchise’s future and the wider film production and copyright law landscape.
Top Gun: Maverick
Tom Cruise returns as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and keeps pushing the envelope as a seasoned aviator for the Navy in this sequel to the original Top Gun film.
