Summary
Manny Jacinto discusses all his lines being cut fromTop Gun: Maverick. Jacinto played lieutenant Billy “Fritz” Avalone in the high grossing sequel directed by Joseph Kosinksi and starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, and Glen Powell. At the time, Jacinto was best known for his comedic role as Jason Mendoza in the popularNBC sitcomThe Good Place, but has since gained more notoriety for other roles.
While speaking withGQ, Jacinto reflected on his reaction to hisTop Gun:Mavericklines being cut, and acknowledged some viewers being upset about this development. He also spoke about the overall experience of working on a blockbuster film, particularly one with Cruise at the center of it, and how his time working on the sequel contributed to his mindset as he continued to move forward with his career in the entertainment industry. Check out Jacinto’s comments below:
It’s flattering that there was a little bit of an outcry, but it wasn’t shocking to me. There was this sense of where the film was going [on set], like I can see them focusing the camera more on these [other] guys and not taking so much time on our scenes. Fortunately, it still was a great experience—you get to see this huge machine at work, see how Tom Cruise works, and you get to be a small part of this huge franchise.
It kind of fuels you, because at the end of the day, Tom Cruise is writing stories for Tom Cruise. It’s up to us—Asian Americans, people of color—to be that [for ourselves]. We can’t wait for somebody else to do it. If we want bigger stories out there, we have to make them for ourselves.
Manny Jacinto’s Career Is Thriving Despite His Top Gun: Maverick Snub
He Has A Major Role In Star Wars: The Acolyte
With prominent roles inprojects ranging from Disney+‘sStar Wars: The Acolyteto the upcomingFreaky Friday 2, Jacinto’s career has not suffered despite having his lines taken out ofTop Gun: Maverick. Jacinto playedthe multifaceted Qimir inThe Acolyte, with his performance walking a careful line between being goofy and sinister before revealing his character’s true nature. Qimir was at the heart of the series and its intriguing exploration of the dark side of the Force and the Sith.
Hisrole inFreaky Friday 2has not been confirmed yet. However, it will likely be significant given that he was included in the initial casting announcement that featured Lindsay Lohan, Jamie Lee Curtis, Mark Harmon, and Chad Michael Murray. Jacinto’s star power and therecognition of his impressive acting range has increasedfollowing his role inThe Acolyteand will help generate even more excitement for the highly anticipatedFreaky Fridaysequel.
SinceTop Gun: Maverick, Jacinto has also done voice roles in several series, includingMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,Hailey’s On It!,Chibiverse, andMortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind.Jacinto’s career continues to be on the rise, and he will likely be cast for more exciting roles. His comments about creating stories also present the possibility of writing his own projects in the future, further expanding his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Top Gun: Maverick
Cast
Top Gun: Maverick is the sequel to the 1986 original film starring Tom Cruise as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a top-tier pilot in the Navy. Thirty years after the original film’s events, Maverick is asked to head up a section of the TOP GUN program to embark on a dangerous mission. Things become personal when the program includes the son of Maverick’s late friend, forcing him to confront his past.
