Despite “Top Gun: Maverick” being nominated for six awards, including best picture, the film’s star Tom Cruise did not attend the Academy Awards on March 12 in Hollywood.
His absence from the iconic Dolby Theater on Sunday was not lost on host Jimmy Kimmel, who criticized both Cruise and “Avatar” director James Cameron for missing the event during his lengthy monologue at the start of the broadcast.
After joking that Cameron might have skipped the ceremony after not being nominated for best director, Kimmel launched into Cruise.
“Everyone loved ‘Top Gun,’ I mean everyone.” Kimmel said. “Tom Cruise shirtless in that beach soccer scene?…Hubba hubba!”
“Tom Cruise and James Cameron didn’t show up tonight. The two guys who insisted we go to the theater didn’t come to the theater.”
Kimmel joked that Cruise could be in the theater dressed as actor Judd Hirsch with a “Mission Impossible” mask. As the camera focused on Hirsch, the “Fabelmans” star pantomime ripped off his face like a mask.
A Cruise spokesperson confirmed to People that the actor had to miss the awards ceremony because he is filming “Mission: Impossible 8” abroad. entertainment tonight reports that if “Top Gun” wins best picture, producer Jerry Bruckheimer will accept the award.
The film, which is a sequel to the original “Top Gun” released in 1986, was also nominated for best adapted screenplay, best editing, best original song, best visual effects and best sound.
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