Wolfman is furious with Paramount Pictures about the usage of his likeness in Top Gun: Maverick. Barry Tubb starred in the successful 1986 film “Top Gun,” but he remained silent in the 2022 follow-up “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Now, Tubb is suing Paramount Pictures, the production firm that made the original movie, for incorporating a deleted sequence from that movie in the one that came out later. Fox News Digital was able to obtain court documents that show Tubb is requesting an undisclosed amount of damages for the unapproved use of his likeness.
When Tubb played Lt. j.g. Henry “Wolfman” Ruth in “Top Gun,” he signed a contract allowing his likeness to be used exclusively in the original movie, according to Tubb’s attorneys in the action, which was filed on Wednesday.
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Overview of the Complaint
The image is “a four-shot close-up establishing the plaintiff,” and “[Tubb’s] likeness in the scene is not incidental” according to the complaint. In addition, Tubb asserts that the photograph is a modified rendition of an exclusive behind-the-scenes photograph featuring the original cast, and as such, the modifications “obliterated any alleged copyright” associated with the image.
Tubb’s complaint claims that the studio “never sought consent or authority to use plaintiff’s image for any purpose in Top Gun: Maverick and the original contract signed by plaintiff and Paramount did not contemplate use of his image beyond the original Top Gun or in promotions related to Top Gun: Maverick; a sequel not contemplated at the time of the original contract and not released until 2022, almost four decades after the original Top Gun.”
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“Plaintiff never consented to Paramount’s use of his image, likeness, or identity in the film Top Gun: Maverick,” the statement continues. By falsely and fraudulently representing that the plaintiff is affiliated with Top Gun: Maverick, was contracted to perform in Top Gun: Maverick, or was hired to promote, advertise, market, or endorse Top Gun: Maverick on behalf of Paramount, Paramount’s conduct is therefore misleading and deceptive. Tubb demands an unspecified amount of punitive and compensatory damages, in addition to a jury trial.
Fox News Digital reached out to Paramount Pictures for comment, but they did not respond right away. The actor isn’t interested in giving a public remark, according to Tubb’s attorneys, but “he feels the lawsuit and the exhibits speak for him.” Although he is unhappy that it has come to this, he is certain that the legal system will deliver a fair outcome.”