Top Gun: Maverick wasn't just a big success at the box office, it also received huge praise from critics, including Quentin Tarantino who loved the film. Jon Hamm was one of the stars from the film and despite his huge net worth, he was willing to take on the film for any kind of money.

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In the following, we'll take a closer look at Hamm's experience before, and during Top Gun: Maverick. We're going to reveal what Hamm thought about his first encounter with Tom Cruise, and his reaction to getting the offer to appear in the film. We'll also take a look at what it was like for Hamm appearing alongside Tom Cruise in the film, and his impression of working alongside the actor.

Jon Hamm First Met Tom Cruise At Jimmy Kimmel's Super Bowl Party

top gun cast red carpet
via Instar

Top Gun: Maverick was a massive success at the box office and in terms of the reviews, receiving Oscar buzz. The film generated $1.4 billion, smashing records at the box office.

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Jon Hamm was part of the star-studded cast, however, his experience with Tom Cruise took place prior to the film. Hamm revealed that it was a dream to have met Cruise, but it took place under unusual circumstances at Jimmy Kimmel's Super Bowl party. Speaking to Howard Stern, Hamm recalled rumors of Tom Cruise attending, but he didn't believe them. Then suddenly, Cruise was on the door step with his mother.

“I was like, ‘No, he’s not. What are you talking about? That’s like saying Santa Claus is coming,’” he recalled.

“We got Tom Cruise and Mom Cruise, and we’re all having an out-of-body experience. He was very direct and intense, [saying] ‘I love that show, (Mad Men)” Jon continued. “That was a good day – a really good day.”

That was just the start as after their first encounter, the two would work together professionally on Top Gun: Maverick.

Jon Hamm Agreed To Do Top Gun: Maverick Without Thinking Twice, And Made Sure That The Offer Wouldn't Be Retracted

Jon Hamm stars in Top Gun: Maverick
via YouTube

As soon as Jon Hamm got the offer for Top Gun: Maverick, he didn't want to hear anything else. Hamm wasn't interested in the terms or conditions, he was all in without knowing any of that.

Hamm quickly made that clear to his team and if they thought otherwise and the offer left, his team would be out of a job.

Hamm recalls, "I’m driving down the road and my phone rings. It’s my agent, and he goes, ‘Hey, they’re coming at you for – they want you to do a part in the Top Gun sequel.’ And I was like, ‘Well, then the answer is yes.’ Are you crazy? Yes. ‘Well, we don’t know. The money, and this and that.’ And I was like, ‘No, no, no, no, no. The answer is yes. You work out the details, but the answer is yes. If this goes away, you’re all fired."

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Hamm would go on to admit that he was a huge fan of the film growing up, and that it was a dream to appear in such a film. This made his decision an easy one.

"So to get to actually flash back to being, at that point, 13 or 14 years old (in) 1985, and to be asked to be part of the next chapter of this? And then to basically have all of my scenes be with Tom Cruise?! This is a no-brainer. The answer is yes. I’m sure it will be a big hit. And it was."

Getting cast in the film was a dream and clearly, getting to work alongside Tom Cruise lived up to Hamm's expectations.

Jon Hamm Had A Blast Working Alongside Tom Cruise In Top Gun: Maverick And Praised His Enthusiasm

Jennifer Connelly and Tom Cruise
Via Paramount

As expected, the atmosphere was everything Jon Hamm expected. Tom Cruise in particular was enthusiastic throughout the process of shooting the film, and it rubbed off the other stars.

"It's really impressive. It's a wonderful energy to be around. His enthusiasm is infectious. He clearly loves what he does for a living. And he clearly feels so connected to this particular story."

Hamm continues, "To come back to the same set and virtually the same wardrobe some 30 odd years later and continue telling this story is clearly something very special to him. So to be invited to come along on that journey was a tremendous honour. And it's something that I certainly don't take lightly."

Hamm called the leadership in the film 'iconic' and clearly, he was appreciative of the career-changing experience.