Ryan Reynolds’ latest movie, Mayday, is now available for Apple TV subscribers, showcasing strong influences from Top Gun. Set in 1987, the film follows a skilled U.S. Navy pilot on a significant mission, drawing parallels to the iconic Tom Cruise film.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Mayday‘s writer/directors, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, discussed the production process of the aerial scenes. Unlike the rigorous boot camp experienced by the cast of Top Gun: Maverick, Reynolds’ team used a mix of pre-shot aerial footage and a true F-18 cockpit setup in Montreal, inspired by Maverick’s techniques.
Daley noted that they captured aerial footage in the South of France before Reynolds joined the project, which allowed for a unique filming approach. The emphasis was on realism, avoiding any video game-like camera angles to maintain authenticity.
Kenneth Branagh’s character in Mayday also pays homage to Top Gun, reflecting its cultural impact by quoting lines from the classic film. Though Mayday had a smaller budget compared to Maverick, the filmmakers incorporated some cutting-edge technology, consulting with pilots from the 70s and 80s to ensure accuracy in flight scenes.
Daley and Goldstein gained Tom Cruise’s permission to use clips from the original Top Gun, enhancing the film’s nostalgic elements. Their relationship with Reynolds, which dates back to their collaboration on Waiting…, aided in bringing this project to life.
You can check out reviews and stream Mayday on Apple TV now.
