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The SNL Top Gun Cameo That Almost Happened: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and the Missed Opportunity
Apr
Introduction:
In the world of Saturday Night Live (SNL), surprise cameos have become part of the show’s legacy, delighting audiences and adding an extra layer of excitement to already hilarious sketches. One such missed opportunity involved the iconic Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, who starred together in the blockbuster Top Gun. In a fascinating anecdote revealed years after the fact, it was shared that Cruise was on the SNL set during Kilmer’s hosting stint in 2000 and almost made a surprise appearance in a sketch. What could have been a historic moment never came to fruition, and this story remains one of the many “what could have been” tales in entertainment history. In this article, we’ll explore what led to this missed moment, the sketch’s premise, and the impact of the Top Gun duo on popular culture.
The Sketch: A Tribute to Top Gun’s Legacy
The Top Gun franchise, especially its 1986 original, left an indelible mark on Hollywood and pop culture, catapulting Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer to superstardom. By the time Val Kilmer returned to host SNL in 2000, 25 years had passed since the film’s release, but its influence was still being felt. Kilmer, who played the infamous “Iceman” in the film, was featured in a comedic sketch during this episode where he portrayed a retired Navy pilot now flying for a commercial airline. The idea was humorous in itself—Kilmer’s once high-flying, adrenaline-fueled character reduced to the dull routine of airline travel.
The sketch, co-written by Michael Schur and Robert Carlock, depicted Kilmer’s character battling for control of the intercom with fellow actors, including Chris Parnell, Will Ferrell, and Ana Gasteyer. Kilmer’s Iceman would shout out incoherent demands and recite famous Top Gun quotes, such as, “Listen to me, you’re out of line! Your ego’s writing checks your body can’t cash and that makes you dangerous!” This comedic juxtaposition of Kilmer’s high-octane movie persona with the mundane realities of commercial flying was the core of the humor.
The Almost-Cameo: Tom Cruise’s Near-Entry into the Sketch
While this sketch was playing out live on SNL, something extraordinary nearly happened. Tom Cruise was actually on the premises that evening. According to Michael Schur, a key figure behind the sketch’s creation, Cruise was standing just eight feet away from the action and seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the performance. The sight of the Top Gun duo reuniting, albeit in a comedic context, was clearly a moment that the producers could not resist capitalizing on.
In an unexpected turn of events, SNL producer Marci Klein approached Schur with the idea of getting Cruise to make a last-minute cameo during the sketch. As Schur recalled, Klein asked him if Cruise should be brought in to walk onto the set at the sketch’s climax and interact with Kilmer’s Iceman character. The suggestion was simple but effective—Cruise could enter the scene, grab Kilmer by the arm, and say, “Hey Iceman, let’s get you out of here, bud,” thereby giving the audience a surprise reunion of the Top Gun legends. This moment would have undoubtedly created a memorable TV moment, blending nostalgia with the comedic brilliance of SNL.
The Decision: Why the Cameo Never Happened
Despite the excitement surrounding the potential cameo, the idea was quickly scrapped, and the world was deprived of the much-anticipated reunion. According to Schur, the decision to not go through with the cameo came down to one simple reason—timing. By the time the conversation happened, the sketch was already in full swing, and it was too late to seamlessly integrate Cruise into the scene without disrupting the flow of the performance.
In retrospect, Schur joked that if Cruise had walked into the sketch, 30 Rock—the location of SNL’s studio—would have “crumbled to the ground” with the sheer weight of the moment. The timing was crucial, and adding a surprise cameo would have taken away from the carefully crafted comedic moments of the sketch. Despite this, Schur admitted that the idea of Cruise appearing was “so obvious,” and it would have been a highlight of the night, had it happened. Nonetheless, the missed cameo remains one of those moments in TV history that fans and insiders alike will forever wonder about.
The Cultural Impact of the Top Gun Duo
Even without the surprise appearance on SNL, the impact of Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer as Maverick and Iceman in Top Gun continues to resonate across generations of moviegoers. The 1986 film became a defining cultural moment, with its blend of thrilling aerial combat and iconic one-liners. Cruise’s portrayal of the cocky and charming Maverick and Kilmer’s role as the rival “Iceman” created one of the most memorable on-screen duos of the 1980s.
The Top Gun franchise’s influence only grew with the release of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, which brought back the original characters, albeit with a more mature and reflective lens. The movie was not only a box office success but also a nostalgic return to one of the most beloved films of all time. Both Cruise and Kilmer’s characters remained central to the emotional core of the sequel, demonstrating the lasting legacy of their bond both on-screen and off.
Had Cruise appeared in the 2000 SNL sketch with Kilmer, it would have added another layer of nostalgia to the Top Gun legacy, reinforcing the enduring popularity of these two stars and their characters. It’s a testament to the deep cultural imprint left by Top Gun that the prospect of their reunion still excites fans, even decades after the original film’s release.
The What-Ifs: The Lost Moment in SNL History
The potential for a Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer Top Gun reunion on SNL is one of those “what if” scenarios that fuels the imagination of TV fans. While it didn’t happen, it’s fascinating to consider how it could have altered the landscape of SNL’s comedic legacy. A surprise cameo by Cruise could have added an additional layer of star power to the episode, elevating the sketch from merely memorable to iconic. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable television production can be, with fleeting opportunities often slipping through the cracks due to timing or logistical constraints.
The missed opportunity also highlights the lasting connection between Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer, whose professional relationship was built on their shared experience in Top Gun. Despite the challenges of their individual careers and personal lives, their bond through the film remains a highlight of Hollywood history. Whether on the big screen or in a comedic cameo on SNL, the pairing of Cruise and Kilmer is something that continues to capture the imagination of fans, with this particular moment in 2000 standing as a testament to what could have been.
Conclusion: A Missed Moment in TV History
While the world never got to see Tom Cruise join Val Kilmer in the Top Gun sketch on SNL, the story of the almost-cameo remains an amusing and thought-provoking anecdote from the history of television. The sketch itself was a hilarious and clever homage to Top Gun, and the missed cameo only adds to the lore surrounding it. The Top Gun legacy endures, both through the 1986 film and its more recent sequel, and the potential for more moments like the one that almost happened at SNL reminds us of how deeply these characters have impacted pop culture. Ultimately, while this specific surprise may have been lost to time, the continued relevance of Maverick and Iceman proves that some things are simply too iconic to fade away.
From cdcustomtees
