If we know one thing about the 1986 action film Top Gun, it’s that it’s gay as blazes. And while plenty of mainstream Hollywood films can also be described as such, it’s not always the case that the folks behind the scenes intended it to be so. In the case of Top Gun, however, the chemistry between naval aviators Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer was absolutely inspired by a photo series that’s spicier and saucier than a Carbone entree.
As detailed by the admirable account @trademoviespodcast, Top Gun‘s homoeroticism was very much intentional. Inspired by the work of queer photographer Bruce Weber, the sweaty jocularity between the two leads—along with their tendency to always be ripping their shirts off—came with the territory.
“[Weber] did a book of queer [photography] that included a bunch of photos of military gays in Hawaii, and [Tony Scott] showed it to Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer,” this podcaster explains.
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Scott himself even discussed being inspired by Weber’s work in an interview about Top Gun, stating; “I found…Bruce Weber’s first book, a black and white book, and it was basically guys in the military, and there’s this one centerfold…it’s got this guy who looked very similar to Tom [Cruise.] And in the backseat a guy looked very similar to Val Kilmer…I used that book as a role model for who I believe these guys were.”
So at this point we should take a look at some of the images that inspired this iconic film, shouldn’t we?
I mean…carry on! It’s clear to see where the inspiration came from. And Weber’s work continues in this wonderful vein, through photoshoots for Versace, Interview Magazine, and more…
There’s so much to love about Weber’s work, even leaving Top Gun completely out of it. But knowing this will doubtless add a certain piquancy to our next rewatch.
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