Pete Mitchell (played by Tom Cruise), better known by his call sign “Maverick”, is the main character in the 1980s classic action flick Top Gun (1986).
Maverick is a young, cocky pilot in training at an elite flight academy for the Air Force. Maverick has loads of self-confidence and charm, but also proves himself to be an excellent fighter pilot— when he doesn’t let his arrogance get in the way of his training.
Pop culture often likes to make fun of Top Gun for its loads of homoerotic energy (shirtless volleyball scene, anyone?) and for the palpable chemistry between Maverick and fellow student Iceman (Val Kilmer.)
But what seems to get lost in the cultural narrative is that while Maverick does tease and seem to flirt with Iceman, he also actively pursues a hetero relationship with his flight teacher, Charlie (played by Kelly McGinnis), including getting an entire bar to join him in serenading her to get her attention.