Manny Jacinto recently opened up about his experience with Top Gun: Maverick, revealing why he wasn’t surprised when his dialogue was cut from the high-profile sequel. Despite his dedication, which included intense gym sessions and fighter pilot training, Jacinto’s character, Lieutenant Billy “Fritz” Avalone, saw his speaking lines disappear in the final cut of the film.
In an interview with GQ, Jacinto addressed the surprise reaction from fans who were disappointed by the absence of his dialogue. “It’s flattering that there was a little bit of an outcry, but it wasn’t shocking to me,” Jacinto shared. He noted that while working on the film, it was clear that the focus was shifting towards other characters, a signal that his scenes might be trimmed.
The actor, known for his role in The Good Place, described his experience with Top Gun: Maverick as valuable despite the cutbacks. “Fortunately, it still was a great experience,” Jacinto said, reflecting on the opportunity to work on a major franchise and observe Tom Cruise’s approach to filmmaking.
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Jacinto, who is of Filipino-Chinese descent, used the experience as motivation to focus on projects that highlight actors from diverse backgrounds. “It kind of fuels you,” he explained. “Because at the end of the day, Tom Cruise is writing stories for Tom Cruise.” Jacinto emphasized the importance of creating opportunities and narratives for underrepresented communities, stating, “We can’t wait for somebody else to do it. If we want bigger stories out there, we have to make them for ourselves.”
Manny Jacinto’s candid remarks underscore the ongoing conversation about representation in Hollywood and highlight the need for diverse voices to craft their own stories in the entertainment industry.
