Miles Teller’s War Films: From Flops to ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Success

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Following his initial success in Hollywood, notably in movies such as The Spectacular Now, the Divergent trilogy, That Awkward Moment, and Fantastic Four, Miles Teller saw a renewed wave of popularity after his remarkable performance in the 2022 blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick. This eagerly anticipated sequel to the iconic ’80s original brought Teller together with Tom Cruise’s character Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, a test pilot and flight instructor at Top Gun, as he mentors a fresh batch of aspiring aviators.

Before the release of “Maverick,” Teller gained recognition with two critically acclaimed films, albeit ones that didn’t perform financially well. These were Todd Phillips’ dark comedy about war profiteering, “War Dogs,” and the dramatic portrayal of military life, “Thank You for Your Service.” Let’s delve into his war-themed roles and understand how he ultimately scored a box office hit by starring in “Top Gun: Maverick.

Miles Teller’s Lackluster Track Record With War Films

Before Miles Teller captivated audiences as Lieutenant Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw in the hit movie “Top Gun: Maverick,” he faced several underperforming films on his path to starring in the highly anticipated sequel to the ’80s Tom Cruise classic. After achieving widespread recognition through roles in the “Divergent” series, “Whiplash,” “That Awkward Moment,” and the critically panned superhero film “Fantastic Four,” Teller opted to explore the war genre and shared the screen with Jonah Hill in Todd Phillips’ dark comedy “War Dogs,” a loose take on the Rolling Stone article titled “Arms and the Dudes.”

In the gripping movie titled “War Dogs,” longtime buddies Efraim Diveroli, portrayed by Jonah Hill, and David Packouz, played by Michael Peña, land in a precarious situation when they take on a massive $300 million U.S. Army contract to provide ammunition for Afghan forces as their new connections lead them to deal with dangerous individuals and criminals. This film boasts an impressive ensemble cast that includes Ana de Armas and Bradley Cooper, along with standout performances from its two skilled leads. Despite earning $86.2 million against a budget of $40 million, “War Dogs” faced mixed reviews from critics due to its complex plotline and unsympathetic characters.

I wholeheartedly concur with those who felt that both Teller and Hill were not fully utilized in “War Dogs,” but a year later, I was thrilled to see The Gorge co-star collaborate with Jason Hall for his directorial debut, “Thank You for Your Service.” This biographical war drama showcased Teller’s remarkable versatility as a leading man. Based on the David Finkel book of the same name, this film delves into the heart-wrenching consequences of PTSD and the challenging ordeals U.S. soldiers face when transitioning back to civilian life. In the film, Teller portrays the decorated yet fractured Staff Sergeant Adam Schumann, a character who, after serving in the Iraq War, grapples with the traumatic memories of his experiences during deployment.

The film, Thank You for Your Service, was praised by both critics and viewers for its intense portrayal of war’s distressing impact, captivating narrative, and Teller’s moving performance. However, it didn’t perform well financially at the box office, earning only $10 million against a budget of $20 million during its cinematic release. Yet, five years later, Teller saw a remarkable career revival when he collaborated on the global blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, which became a dominant force in movie theaters worldwide.

‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Becomes a Critical & Commercial Triumph

36 years after the iconic 1986 film “Top Gun” captivated audiences and catapulted Tom Cruise to fame, the eagerly anticipated sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick“, finally hit theaters on May 27, 2022. This time around, audiences were once again welcomed by the daring test pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. In this heart-pounding action drama, Maverick is back, not only to test his mettle but also to mentor a fresh batch of ambitious Top Gun graduates for an exhilarating high-risk mission. Among these trainees is Lieutenant Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Teller), the son of Maverick’s late best friend, Nick “Goose.”

In a stunning success at the box office, Top Gun: Maverick amassed an impressive $1.496 billion, placing it as the second highest-grossing film of the year, surpassed only by Avatar: The Way of Water. Additionally, the movie garnered six Academy Award nominations, with Best Picture being among them (though it eventually took home the award for Best Sound). It was also hailed as the Best Film by the National Board of Review. Spectators were captivated by its visually stunning sequences, endearing characters, and the remarkable chemistry between Cruise and Teller; many even considered it superior to the original. The Daily Beast described it as “an exhilarating summer blockbuster that demonstrates that traditional storytelling still has vitality, while simultaneously fueling and fulfilling the craving for speed.

Since it garnered an exceptionally favorable reception both critically and commercially, a second installment of the blockbuster movie was officially announced to be under production in January 2024, with Tom Cruise set to reprise his role. Additionally, Teller and Powell are reportedly discussing returning to their characters as well. Earlier in May 2022, Teller had disclosed that he had proposed a sequel focusing on his character, provisionally named “Top Gun: Rooster,” to Paramount Pictures; however, no specifics about the potential storyline for the follow-up film have been unveiled yet.

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2025-03-02 03:36