Wolfman howls at Paramount Pictures for using his image in Top Gun: Maverick.
Barry Tubb, the actor who played aviator Leonard “Wolfman” Wolfe in the 1986 film “Top Gun,” is suing the studio over what he says is the unauthorized use of his likeness 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.” In the scene in question, Hangman (Glen Powell) and Coyote (Greg Tarzan Davis) learn 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.
Val Kilmer, Barry Tubb and Tom Cruise in Top Gun.
Paramount/Everett
According to the complaint, the image is “a four-shot close-up that clearly confirms plaintiff” and “[Tubb’s] Similarity in the scene is important in a way that is not accidental.” Additionally, Tubb says that the photo is actually an altered version of a behind-the-scenes shot of the original actors and that the alterations therefore “destroy any purported copyright “have the picture.
Paramount did not immediately respond to EW's request for comment on Thursday.
Tubb's complaint alleges that the studio “never sought consent or authority to use Plaintiff's image for any purpose in Top Gun: Maverick and that the original contract signed by Plaintiff and Paramount did not provide for the use of his image.” the original Top Gun or considered in promotions related to Top Gun: Maverick; a sequel that was not under consideration at the time of the original contract and was not released until 2022, nearly four decades after the original Top Gun.”
It continues: “Plaintiff never consented to Paramount’s use of his image, likeness and/or identity in the film Top Gun: Maverick. Paramount's conduct is therefore misleading and deceptive by falsely and fraudulently representing that Plaintiff is somehow affiliated with Top Gun: Maverick.” ; was signed to appear in “Top Gun: Maverick”; or was hired to promote, promote, market or endorse “Top Gun: Maverick” on behalf of Paramount.”
Tubb is seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages and a jury trial.
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