The F1 driver called to appear in the film years before it was released.
Formula 1 superstar Lewis Hamilton revealed that he had turned down the chance to appear in the movie Top Gun: Maverick and is still kicking himself for it.
The British driver, 39, and Top Gun star Tom Cruise, 61, became friends after the actor asked him out on set from 2014’s Edge of Tomorrow.
They stayed in touch after that, with the Hollywood A-Lister sending Hamilton encouraging messages during the races.
Eventually, Hamilton asked Cruise to play him in a hypothetical sequel to the 1986 movie “Top Gun.” , years before it was finally greenlit.
Recalling the GQ magazine story, she said, “At first, I didn’t even have an acting class,” she told the magazine. “And I don’t want to be the one who left the film.
And secondly, I just didn’t have the time to commit to it. I remember having to tell Joe and Tom – and it broke my heart.
And then, of course, I regretted it when they showed me the movie and it was, That could be me! Oh my God, I’m still. “I said, ‘If you ever get into Top Gun. 2, I’ll even be a janitor,” Hamilton recalled telling Cruise at the time. Let me be there.
When pre-production on the sequel began, the Mission: Impossible” F1 favorite star said he remembered his request and put Hamilton in touch with director Joseph Kosinski, who eventually offered to him a role in the pilot of one of the films.
However, due to his busy schedule (including the 2018 championships) and lack of acting experience, Hamilton said he ultimately passed on the opportunity.
He instantly regretted the decision after seeing the 2022 action film starring Cruise, Miles Teller and Glen Powell.
With Top Gun 3 reportedly in the works, Hamilton may have a chance to right its wrongs..