‘Top Gun’ 30th Anniversary: Anatomy of the Iconic (and Homoerotic) Volleyball Scene

Look inside the famous shirtless ‘n’ sweaty sequence with Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer 30 years later

top gun volleyball scene

In the thirty years since “Top Gun” was released, its sporty, bro-mantic volleyball scene has been parodied and oft-mocked for its not-so-subdued sexuality, set to the tune of Kenny Loggins’ “Playing With the Boys.”

Director Tony Scott knew full well that women and men alike would likely be titilated by the sight of shirtless actors Tom Cruise (Maverick), Anthony Edwards (Goose), Val Kilmer (Iceman) and Rick Rossovich (Slider) — and eagerly put the film’s pretty-boy pilots on fully oiled display.

“I didn’t have a vision of what I was doing other than just doing soft porn,” Scott recalled with a laugh in an interview featured in the film’s 30th anniversary Blu-ray/DVD.

Want to keep reading?

Create a free account, or log in with your email below.

 

Gain access to unlimited free articles, news alerts, select newsletters, podcasts and more.

 

Comments