In a recent revelation, Formula One icon Lewis Hamilton shared that he nearly transitioned from the racetrack to the big screen with a role in the blockbuster hit, “Top Gun: Maverick.”
The F1 champion disclosed to GQ that Hollywood legend Tom Cruise had unexpectedly reached out to him back in 2014, inviting him to the set of “Edge of Tomorrow.” This initial encounter, fueled by a mutual passion for racing, led to an intriguing offer when Cruise recalled Hamilton’s admiration for the original “Top Gun” film.
Tom Cruise and Lewis Hamilton (Paramount Pictures)
Hamilton, a long-time fan of the franchise, had casually expressed his eagerness to be a part of any potential sequel during their initial meeting. “I said, ‘Dude, if you ever do Top Gun 2…’—which had not been spoken of, there was no story yet—‘I will even be a janitor—just let me be in it.’” When “Top Gun 2” materialized, Cruise remembered Hamilton’s words and extended an invitation for him to play the role of the fighter pilot “Fanboy.”
Despite the excitement, Hamilton faced a challenging decision. Acknowledging his lack of acting experience and the significant time commitment required, he chose to decline the role.
“Firstly, I hadn’t even had, like, an acting lesson. And I don’t want to be the one that lets this movie down. And then secondly, I just really didn’t have the time to dedicate to it. I remember having to tell Joe and Tom—and it broke my heart. And then I regretted it, naturally, when they show me the movie and it’s: It could’ve been me!”
The role of “Fanboy” eventually went to Danny Ramirez, who publicly thanked Hamilton for the opportunity. Ramirez humorously acknowledged the F1 star’s decision on social media:
“When Joe Kosinski introduced us and said that Lewis’ role was gonna be Fanboy, I thanked him for saying no haha. Appreciate the assist @LewisHamilton.”
Tom Cruise and Lewis Hamilton (Paramount Pictures)
“Top Gun: Maverick,” released in May 2022, picked up more than thirty years after the original, featuring Tom Cruise’s character, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, training a new generation of Top Gun graduates.
The film enjoyed immense success, becoming Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing movie to date and earning a “certified fresh” rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fans of the franchise have more to look forward to, as producer Jerry Bruckheimer recently confirmed that “Top Gun 3” is in development. With Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski set to return, alongside stars Miles Teller and Glen Powell, the story for the threequel has been found. While no release date is confirmed, the anticipation is building for another thrilling flight.
