‘Top Gun’ actor sues Paramount over use of his image in sequel

Wolfman howls at Paramount Pictures for use of his image in Top Gun: Maverick.

Barry Tubb, the actor who played aviator Leonard “Wolfman” Wolfe in the 1986 film. Top gunis suing the studio for what he says is the unauthorized use of his image in the hit 2022 sequel.

In a complaint filed Wednesday in a California court and obtained by EW, Tubb claims that his permission to use his likeness “did not include the use of his likeness in the sequel.” The scene in question shows Hangman (Glen Powell) and Coyote (Greg Tarzan Davis) learning for the first time that Rooster Bradshaw (Miles Teller) is actually the son of the late Goose (Anthony Edwards) when they come across an old photo of Iceman. (Val Kilmer). ), Goose, Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Wolfman.

According to the lawsuit, the image is “a four-shot close-up that clearly establishes the plaintiff” and “(Tubb’s) likeness in the scene is essential in a manner that is not incidental.” Additionally, Tubb says the photo is actually an altered version of a behind-the-scenes shot of the original actors, and therefore the edits “destroyed any supposed copyright” of the image.

Paramount did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment on Thursday.

Tubb’s lawsuit claims that the studio “never sought consent or authority to use plaintiff’s image for any purpose in Top Gun: Maverick and the original contract signed by the plaintiff and Paramount did not contemplate the use of his image beyond the original Top gun or in promotions related to Top Gun: Maverick; a sequel not contemplated at the time of the original contract and that will not be released until 2022, almost four decades after the original Top gun“.

It continues: “Plaintiff never agreed to Paramount’s use of his image, likeness and/or identity in the film. Top Gun: Maverick. Therefore, Paramount’s conduct is misleading and deceptive in falsely and fraudulently representing that plaintiff is in any way affiliated with Top Gun: Maverick; he was hired to perform in Top Gun: Maverick; or was hired to promote, advertise, market or endorse Top Gun: Maverick on behalf of Paramount.”

Tubb seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and demands a jury trial.

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