Exclusive: Top Gun Maverick Cast Reunites in Unforgettable Group Shot

Summary

Monica Barbaro, the Phoenix actor, recently posted a captivating picture where she joins forces with Glen Powell, Danny Ramirez, Lewis Pullman, and Greg Tarzan Davis from Top Gun: Maverick, as they rally together on the picket lines.

SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP are currently in a dispute over various significant matters, such as residuals and the utilization of actors' likeness through scanning.

Although prominent celebrities are participating in the strike, it is the lesser known actors who will particularly reap the benefits. These actors, who do not earn millions for each role, heavily depend on residuals and regular work for their survival.

Top Gun: Maverick actors come together in a recent picture on the SAG-AFTRA picket lines during the ongoing strike. Garnering praise from both viewers and reviewers, Joseph Kosinski's follow-up to the 1986 beloved film showcased Tom Cruise reprising his role as the skilled pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. In the sequel, Cruise's character assumes the responsibility of training a fresh group of navy aviators for a perilous assignment in hostile territory.

Members of the Top Gun: Maverick cast, including Monica Barbaro who portrays Phoenix, have come together in new images shared by Barbaro. Take a look at the pictures below:

Also present in the photos are new cast members Glen Powell, Danny Ramirez, Lewis Pullman, and Greg Tarzan Davis. In one of the images, a strike sign can be seen with the message "Don't scan me, bro!" written on it, highlighting a key issue of the strike.

Why Hollywood Actors Are On Strike

When the Writers Guild of America (WGA) went on strike earlier this year, Hollywood faced a challenging situation. However, it came to a complete standstill when SAG-AFTRA joined the writers in their strike in July. This is the first time in over 60 years that both the WGA and SAG-AFTRA have simultaneously gone on strike, highlighting a clear division between the actors' guild and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) on several crucial matters.

It is important to note that, despite the presence of major stars on the picket lines, this strike primarily benefits non-stars. The vast majority of Hollywood actors rely on securing multiple acting jobs each year to make a living. The issue of pay has been a significant point of contention, particularly concerning residuals. In the past, appearing on a successful television show guaranteed better residual payments due to linear TV's dominance. However, the emergence of streaming platforms and the lack of transparency in data reporting from these platforms have diminished the financial benefits of being on a hit show.

Another notable concern that has garnered significant media attention is the studios' position on AI and machine learning. This matter has already arisen in multiple productions, with studios allegedly aiming to retain the capability of scanning actors without offering any form of compensation for the perpetual use of their likeness. The resolution of the ongoing WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes is still uncertain, but the participation of the Top Gun: Maverick crew in picket lines is bound to bring added awareness to the advocacy efforts.