The film is said to originate in California magazine’s Top Guns article
The Navy’s involvement is reported to have changed location, language, a crash and Charlie’s role
Paramount’s flight costs are discussed
Pilot Art Scholl’s fatal production accident and the dedication are discussed; the machine transcript renders his name imperfectly
Kilmer’s interruption is reported as improvised
Edwards is reported as the only actor not to vomit during flights
An early Maverick sequel concept about drones is discussed as then-current development history
Kansas City Barbeque’s filming locations, fire and surviving piano are discussed
Cruise’s lifts and a trench for McGillis are reported as height accommodations
The alleged fine for quoting Top Gun is explicitly doubted
Charlie’s inspiration Christine Fox and adviser Pete Pettigrew are discussed
Randy Duke Cunningham’s claim to inspire Maverick is contrasted with filmmakers’ denial
Tony Scott’s alleged payment to turn a ship for lighting is treated as an uncertain anecdote
Earlier discussion attributes the added elevator and love scenes to test-screening feedback and explains costume/lighting continuity fixes

A quiz matching Top Gun call signs to character names

In the discussion (4)

The quiz gives Goose as Nick Bradshaw and Iceman as Tom Kazansky
Charlie is Charlotte Blackwood; Jester is Rick Heatherly
Viper is Mike Metcalf and Slider is Ron Kerner
Cougar and Merlin are given as Bill Cortell and Sam Wells; transcript spelling remains a secondary source

Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino and other reported alternatives

In the discussion (8)

Modine is said to have declined Maverick because of the military politics
Travolta’s asking price is reported as a barrier, with uncertainty around the wider internet list
Fiorentino is reported to have declined Charlie because of the glorification of war
Ally Sheedy is reported to have doubted demand for a fighter-pilot movie
Julianne Phillips is mentioned for Charlie and Jon Voight for Viper
Modine is considered a plausible alternative Maverick
Robert Downey Jr. as Maverick, or as Iceman opposite Kilmer, is imagined
Judd Nelson and Charlie Sheen are discussed as very different possibilities

Goose’s ejection, the dog tags and Maverick’s instant teaching career

In the discussion (8)

Maverick leaves volleyball before its resolution
The ejection mechanism is questioned as a design flaw
Hollywood’s rapid rescue and cheerful return after his plane is hit seem implausible
Throwing Goose’s dog tags away deprives his widow and son of them
The crowded bar falls silent implausibly for the song
Charlie’s older bar companion is debated as a date versus colleague
Maverick opts to teach immediately after graduating and one battle
An aside calls this an apex for USA Today’s sports section

The film’s erotic intent, Goose’s death and Charlie’s interest in Maverick

In the discussion (12)

Was the homoeroticism intentional? The panel discusses Scott’s quote and the film’s broader salesmanship
Why make Hot Shots when Top Gun already resembles parody? The panel notes viewers originally took it seriously
Why was Kilmer not nominated for a supporting Oscar?
Maverick ending up with Goose’s widow is floated
Why are the ship interiors so hot and smoky?
Is Goose among the most upsetting unexpected screen deaths? Hooch, Fredo, Mickey, the Champ, Apollo and Elias are compared
The predictability of Goose’s death is disputed
Why play volleyball in jeans?
What does Charlie do after Maverick leaves dinner?
Charlie’s desire and the actors’ on-screen chemistry prompt an extended disagreement
Does Charlie return for Maverick or for more information about MiGs?
These are speculative readings of fictional characters, not facts about the actors