Top Gun turns 30: Famous phrases, faces and talk of a sequel

The all-star cast looked a lot younger back then, but 30 years later, Top Gun — as a film, soundtrack and even a fashion influence — is still a classic.

The blockbuster starring Tom Cruise was officially released May 16, 1986 and became the top grossing film of that year, making more than $350 million US worldwide.

Not only did it spawn the acting careers of several stars, it also made famous some lines you might still be using.

'Need for speed'

You can't mention Top Gun without those famous words shared between cocky navy pilot Maverick, played by Cruise, and his ill-fated wingman Goose as they're walking on the tarmac before flight.

"I feel the need..." Maverick says, waiting for Goose to chime in.

"The need for speed!" Goose responds, followed by the classic high five.

Speaking of which, those up-high-down-low high fives that everyone tried with their buddies afterwards became an epic bromance symbol in the infamous volleyball scene set to the tune of Kenny Loggins' Playing with the Boys.

Maverick's nemesis was Iceman, played by Val Kilmer. But Kilmer turned that label around near the end of the film with a few words that had friends repeating them to each other for years: "You can be my wingman any time."

The term now conveniently doubles as the pal you take when trying to approach someone at a bar.

And the next time you need to bring someone down a peg, try the line Maverick's instructor used on him: "Son, your ego is writing cheques your body can't cash."

Where are they now?

We know where Cruise is, and the talented Kilmer went on to star in Batman Forever, The Doors and Heat before sadly disappearing into virtual obscurity, but what about the others?

Kelly McGillis, who played flight school instructor Charlie and the woman Maverick was chasing, followed up with a role as Jodie Foster's lawyer in the critically-acclaimed 1988 film The Accused. She seemed to hit the peak of stardom in the '80s, but did some stage and television work later in her career.

Anthony Edwards, who played Goose, became ER's Dr. Mark Greene for eight seasons.

Tom Skerritt, the commander who was constantly trying to keep Maverick's ego in check, has worked steadily since and is well known for his role on the TV series Picket Fences.

You might have forgotten that Meg Ryan, Tim Robbins and Canadian Michael Ironside rounded out the cast.

Ryan, who played Goose's free-spirited wife Carole, became the queen of romantic comedies in the 1990s, starring in hits like When Harry Met Sally..., Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail.

Robbins not only took on roles in critically-acclaimed films Bull Durham, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Player, but also has successfully directed in film and TV.  He won an Oscar for his supporting role in Mystic River and got a directing nomination for Dead Man Walking.

Toronto-born Ironside, known for his method acting and playing tough guy Hollywood villains, appeared in The Perfect Storm and The Machinist with Christian Bale. He's also done voice work on both sides of the border, including in the DC Comics universe and in video games.

Top Gun 2

There has been talk of a Top Gun sequel for years. Even after director Tony Scott committed suicide in 2012, there were efforts to keep the idea going.

It's registered on the online film database IMDB but the explanation on the page pretty much sums up the entire project so far: "The plot is unknown at this time."

• Tom Cruise in talks for Top Gun 2

Last we heard, producer Jerry Bruckheimer was chatting with Cruise about it in January. Both seem keen to reprise the story.

And Kilmer was so excited to get involved, that he posted a message on his Facebook page last year implying the project was ready to go. He later edited the post, saying he "jumped the gun."