Why Danny Ramirez Feared Tom Cruise’s Judgment on His Captain America Flight Moves

Actor Danny Ramirez, known for his portrayal of Joaquin Torres, the Falcon, in Captain America: Brave New World, made sure his flight scenes were as realistic as possible, and not just for the audience—he was also thinking about his Top Gun: Maverick costar, Tom Cruise. The stakes were high, as Ramirez felt Cruise, a renowned aviation enthusiast, might be watching and scrutinizing his aerial acrobatics.

In an interview with fellow Maverick costar Lewis Pullman for Interview Magazine, Ramirez shared his thoughts on ensuring his flight sequences were top-notch. “I felt like if Tom saw my body positioning, he’d be judging the aerodynamics,” Ramirez revealed. Drawing from his Top Gun experience, Ramirez made sure his body alignment in the air was precise, knowing how crucial aerodynamics are in real-life flight. “I was aerodynamic, and banking when I had to bank, and trying to make sure that my head was in the right position because wind will then affect lift.”

Ramirez further explained that the pressure to nail the flying scenes came from his deep respect for Cruise and his experience on Top Gun: Maverick. “Tom’s maybe going to watch this and if he does, I better come correct,” Ramirez added, reflecting on the high standards set by their shared aerial experiences.

As part of his commitment to authenticity, Ramirez even found himself putting on a “G-force face” during takes, mimicking the strain pilots experience in high-speed maneuvers. It was a move he knew would impress both fans and colleagues, especially as he had firsthand knowledge of what it takes to fly fighter jets. While filming Top Gun: Maverick, Ramirez underwent rigorous training, including flights in high-performance jets. “Most of us could say that we were barfing quite a bit,” he admitted, recalling the physical challenges of the training. “But I’ve never seen a group of people that puke and rally more than we do.”

Ramirez’s passion for realism extends to his character’s gear. Unlike Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) advanced suit in the MCU, which allows for a more effortless flight, Ramirez’s Falcon suit is a bit more grounded in reality. He describes his suit as “a little bit more analog,” with tubes for breathing, essentially making him the “literal cockpit” in the sky. In contrast, Sam’s suit operates on a whole different level, one that Ramirez views as existing in a “different reality.”

For Ramirez, bringing authenticity to his flight scenes wasn’t just about showcasing skill—he also wanted to do justice to his role as an ally to Sam Wilson in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ramirez first appeared as Joaquin Torres in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and now returns for his big-screen debut in Captain America: Brave New World, where he joins Mackie and a new cast that includes Harrison Ford as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.

Captain America: Brave New World is currently in theaters, showcasing Ramirez’s dedication to both his craft and his connections within the high-flying world of Hollywood action films.