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Top Gun Star's SNL Hosting Gig Canceled Due to COVID Delays
16 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Top Gun: Maverick star was scheduled to host SNL in 2021
- SNL had to rescind the offer due to the film's COVID-related delay
- Lorne Michaels told the actor "no one will know who the F you are" without the film
According to a news report from November 2025, the Top Gun: Maverick star was previously scheduled to host Saturday Night Live in 2021 to coincide with the release of the action film. However, the movie's COVID-19-related delay led SNL to rescind the hosting offer.
In the report, the 37-year-old actor revealed that Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, directly told him, "Without Top Gun, no one will know who the F you are." This blunt statement came after the actor had already excitedly shared the news of his upcoming SNL hosting gig with a UPS delivery driver, even taking a celebratory selfie with the driver and his family.
The article notes that the Top Gun sequel was ultimately released in May 2022, over a year after its original planned debut. This pandemic-induced delay resulted in the show having to withdraw its hosting invitation to the film's star, leaving the actor disappointed but understanding of the situation.
