Top Gun: Maverick was a 2022 box office smash hit. It was the second movie to gross over $1 billion post-COVID and is the 11th highest-grossing movie in history unadjusted for inflation at $1.48 billion. Even Steven Spielberg lauded the movie in an Instagram video telling Tom Cruise, “You saved Hollywood’s ass and you might have saved theatrical distribution.” With Maverick‘s impact on pop culture, as well as being up for best picture, it’s not a big surprise that Oscar 95 host Jimmy Kimmel based his trailer on the Top Gun sequel.
Maverick reporting to North Island to receive his mission sets the stage for the movie. Entering the Pacific Fleet Naval Air Force Headquarters, he looks at a photo of him shaking hands with Iceman at the end of the first movie before turning to a command photo revealing that Iceman is now the Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Meeting Vice Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson and Rear Admiral Solomon “Warlock” Bates, Maverick informed that he was not their first choice and is given his mission briefing.
Kimmel’s trailer is based on this scene and opens with Kimmel looking at pictures of past hosts including 9-time host Billy Crystal whose photo takes the place of Iceman. The trailer sees Jon Hamm and Chris Parnell reprise their roles as Cyclone and Warlock, respectively, to brief Kimmel on the hosting gig. Following the progression of the scene in Top Gun: Maverick Kimmel is informed that he was not the first choice to host. Adding some burns from Hamm and Parnell as well as self-deprecating humor from Kimmel himself, Crystal makes an appearance to downplay Kimmel’s previous two times hosting the Oscars.
The trailer did not air during the Super Bowl and was instead posted online on February 14, 2023. The YouTube description notes, “While we did not have 7 million dollars to air this during the Super Bowl, we bring it to you now at a much more reasonable price, with no distractions.” In addition to best picture, Maverick has been nominated for adapted screenplay, sound, film editing, visual effects and original song. The 95th Oscars will be held on March 12, 2023