An actor who appeared in the 1986 action drama 'Top Gun' alongside Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer has filed a lawsuit against Paramount Pictures over the unauthorized use of his likeness in the 2022 sequel 'Top Gun: Maverick.'
The supporting actor, Barry Tubb, played the character Leonard 'Wolfman' Wolfe in the original film. In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles, Tubb claims that his contract for the 1986 movie did not include any provision for the use of his image in a potential sequel.
The complaint highlights a specific scene in 'Top Gun: Maverick' where a photo from the era of the original film is shown, featuring Tubb's character alongside other key characters. Tubb argues that his likeness in the scene is essential and not incidental, as it is a close-up shot that prominently features him.
Tubb asserts that the image used in 'Top Gun: Maverick' is a behind-the-scenes shot that has been altered without his consent, thereby infringing on any copyright he may have had in the image. He further claims that Paramount did not seek his permission to use his likeness in the sequel, nor did his original contract anticipate such use.
The lawsuit characterizes Paramount's actions as misleading and deceptive, alleging that the studio falsely represented Tubb as being affiliated with 'Top Gun: Maverick.' The complaint emphasizes that the sequel was released almost four decades after the original film, making it a project that was not contemplated at the time of Tubb's initial contract.
As of now, the specific amount of compensation sought by Tubb has not been disclosed. Paramount has yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter.
