Top Gun 2: Charlie star Kelly McGillis not returning for Tom Cruise sequel

One of the original stars of Top Gun has revealed they weren’t asked to return for the new sequel.

Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer will both appear in Top Gun: Maverick when it’s released next year, but the character of flight instructor Charlie Blackwood – played by Kelly McGillis – won’t feature.

McGillis was asked if she’s attend any of the promotional events for the film when she expressed uncertainty due to the fact she’s yet to be asked.

“You know what, I don’t know how to answer that because one, it hasn’t happened,” she told Entertainment Tonight.

“Two, if and when it did happen, I would have to assess where I am, what I’m doing, what’s going on. I can’t project what I would or wouldn’t do in the future. I have no idea because I don’t know where I’ll be.”

McGillis added: “Movies are odd things. I don’t really keep in touch with anybody. I think I’ve spoken to a couple of people occasionally, but the truth is, movies are very odd work situations because you have a lot of people who come together from all different parts of the world.”

Cruise recently unveiled the trailer for the sequel that’s due to be released 34 years after the original was released.

Joining Cruise in the new film is Ed Harris whose high-ranking official can be seen calling lead character Maverick – now an instructor attempting to get his head around drones – a “dinosaur”.

As hoped, Cruise rocks the bomber jacket and sunglasses alongside new cast members Glen Powell (Set It Up), Miles Teller, Manny Jacinto and Jon Hamm.

Replacing McGillis as the film’s chief love interest is Jennifer Connelly.

Top Gun: Maverick, directed by Oblivion’s Joseph Kosinski, is released 17 July 2020.