Here's Why Kelly McGillis Didn't Return for 'Top Gun: Maverick' - Her Comments Differ from the Director's

Some fans might be sad to see that Kelly McGillis, who played Charlie in the original Top Gun movie, is not in the sequel.

Charlie was the love interest of Tom Cruise‘s character Maverick in the original 1986 movie and Jennifer Connelly is playing his new love interest in 2022′s Top Gun: Maverick.

Jennifer plays Penny Benjamin, a character who was referenced in the original movie, but never seen.

Both Kelly and Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski have spoken out about why she’s not in the new movie, and their opinions are definitely very different.

Click to the next slide to see what the director said about Kelly McGillis not returning…