'Top Gun: Maverick': 'I'm Old And I'm Fat,' Kelly McGillis Says

Some of the veteran characters will be returning in “Top Gun: Maverick,” but Kelly McGillis will not be one of them. The actress played the lead role of Charlie in the 1986 movie, and in a recent interview, she commented about not being cast in the highly anticipated sequel.

In a recent interview with ET Online, McGillis revealed that she was not asked to be a part of the sequel. The actress said that she was “old” and “fat” and looked “age-appropriate” for her age. However, she added that she would rather feel secure about who she is rather than place a value on “all that other stuff.”

Charlie was the love interest of Tom Cruise’s Maverick in the first movie, a role that will now be played by Jennifer Connelly. Commenting on Connelly, McGillis gave her blessing by saying that she is “glad for her.”

One of the romantic moments in the 1986 movie was the bike ride of Charlie with the hotshot fighter pilot. The first trailer of “Top Gun: Maverick” showed Connelly taking the back seat in the recreation of the famous bike scene.

McGillis hasn’t been asked to be a part of the sequel, and she isn’t sure if she can be a part of the promotion of the film. When asked is she would be willing to come to a promo event of the film, the actress said that she can’t predict what she would or wouldn’t do in the future.

While the fans may miss McGillis in the sequel, so far the trailer has everyone excited. The trailer has been viewed well over 22 million times as of this writing. The poster of the film also feels nostalgic with Cruise dressed in the famous black leather jacket and blue jeans.

“Top Gun: Maverick” has been directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film will be released on June 26, 2020.