Tom Cruise is getting some serious mileage out of the fighter jet from Top Gun: Maverick.
The legendary actor made cameo appearances at two separate high-profile events on Sunday evening from the cockpit of the P-51 Mustang that appeared in last year’s blockbuster film.
In a pre-recorded video message aired at the MTV Movie & TV Awards in California, the 60-year-old superstar proudly hoisted a golden popcorn trophy he received for his performance in the hit sequel while soaring through the clouds.
“Hi, everyone, thank you so much for this award,” Cruise said.
“I make these films for you.”
The A-lister did the almost exact
same sky-high skit for the coronation concert. During the star-studded event
at Windsor Castle, Cruise appeared in another pre-recorded clip in which he
delivered an airborne message to the newly crowned king from the cockpit of
the same single-seat aircraft. This time around, though, there was no
popcorn trophy in shot.
“Pilot to pilot, your Majesty, you can be
my wingman any time,” Cruise said before he saluted and nosedived away from
the camera.
The actor obtained his pilot’s license in 1994 and is an
experienced aviator. So too is the king. Charles III flew solo for the first
time 1969 before being awarded his private pilot’s license two months later
and his Royal Air Force wings in August 1971. The monarch served for both
the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force between 1971 and 1976. He is also now
the commander-in-chief of the UK military.
Cruise wasn’t the only A-lister to send the new king a video
message, either. Irish Aator Pierce Brosnan said Charles had developed a
“host of action man skills” over the years, while adventurer Bear Grylls
chimed in to say the king “even took on the Royal Marines commando
training—one of the hardest programs in the world.”
More than
20,000 people joined the royal family at the king’s palace to the west of
London on Sunday evening and enjoyed performances by Lionel Richie, Katy
Perry, and Take That. The king has since thanked performers at the
coronation concert for a “great treat.”
