20 Classic Films That Could Be Rebooted with Female Leads
By Carly Lane
11. Top Gun, with Samira Wiley
Top Gun is, by definition, a classic. It’s one of those films that almost everyone you know has likely already seen several times by this point – and as soon as you mention it, they’re also likely to launch into describing some of their favorite scenes. (Beach volleyball, anyone?) Tom Cruise is the lovable hotshot Maverick who probably should be getting into trouble way more often than he typically does, and he also has to contend with his frenemy Iceman. Besides all of that: who could forget the classic Kenny Loggins theme? In the words of Sterling Archer: DANGER ZOOOOONE.
Samira Wiley is a breakout in her own right; she owned all of us as Poussey on Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, and she’s heading to Hulu next for their adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale. Like Maverick, Wiley has the ability to play that lovable character who could also get into a little trouble thanks to recklessness but always, always has the ability to win over authority with a smile. Wiley would also be super believable playing someone who is capable of charming the pants off the ladies; she could bring the necessary swagger to the role. Who has two thumbs and wants to see her as a fighter pilot? THIS GIRL.
Next: Dead Poets Society