Hangman works perfectly as Iceman's son regarding looks and attitude, but the connection also works beyond that. Having Hangman be Iceman's son further explains why Iceman wants Maverick to come back now. While they bickered early in the film, the two pilots formed a close bond by the end of the original
Hangman being Iceman's son and not Maverick's also works better thematically for Top Gun: Maverick. In the sequel, Maverick hasn't seemed to change; he continues to live in the past — even jeopardizing his own career as implied by his failure to move up the Navy ladder despite his brilliant flying skills.
Phoenix explains the meaning behind Hangman's name, stating that he's called Hangman because "[he] will always leave you out to dry." Hangman ultimately proves Phoenix's assessment wrong when he rescues Rooster and Maverick at the end of Top Gun: Maverick.
While Maverick cannot help but feel protective of Rooster because of his traumatic history with his father, Rooster brawls his self-inflicted limitations to prove his worth as a pilot. Meanwhile, Hangman oozes unmatched confidence, but his cockiness holds him back from being a team player.
Though the movie focuses heavily on Maverick's relationship with his old wingman's son, Maverick's real successor is Hangman from the very beginning. A young hotshot in Maverick's class, Hangman is a talented and cocky pilot who serves as a walking reminder of a young Maverick.
Hangman flies like Maverick and acts like Iceman on the ground. He is cocky, amazing flyer, doesn't cover his wingman just like Maverick, and was Ready 5 on carrier just like Maverick in first movie.
Prior to the special mission, Hangman was assigned/attached to strike fighter squadron VFA-151 Vigilantes. Hangman is friends with LT Javy "Coyote" Machado. Hangman is to Rooster what LT Tom "Iceman" Kazansky was to Maverick in Top Gun.
Quotes. Lt. Jake 'Hangman' Seresin : [after destroying the plane that almost killed Maverick and Rooster] Good afternoon, ladies and gentleman, this is your savior speaking. Please fasten your seat belts, return the tray tables to their locked an upright positions and prepare for landing.
Just before the mission starts, Hangman encourages Rooster by telling him 'You give 'em hell!' Especially heartwarming given that 1. Hangman was disappointed that he wasn't picked for the mission, and 2.
During a flight to fight off enemy MiG planes, their engine stalls and the two lose control of the plane, forcing them to eject themselves to survive. When Goose pulls the handle to eject them both, he is launched into the overhead canopy of the plane and killed instantly.
While it is possible Iceman makes this request because of Goose's son instead, it seems far more likely that Iceman made this decision due to Hangman being his own flesh and blood. Hangman being Iceman's son perfectly explains nearly every element of Top Gun: Maverick's plot and surrounding secrecy.
Val Kilmer's own battle with throat cancer severely impacted his ability to speak. Kilmer now communicates through an artificial voice box, making his scene in the movie Top Gun: Maverick even more emotional with the actor being a real-life cancer survivor.
According to the New York Times, Top Gun: Maverick's original script also had Hangman later say it stood for "Big ol' balls," while Outkast's iconic anthem “B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad)” could also have inspired the callsign.
Fandoms: Top Gun (Movies)
Just when Hangman thinks that the day can't get any worse, he finds out that his father died. His father, Admiral Tom "Iceman" Kazansky. And he doesn't take it well. Luckily, Sarah Kazansky and Maverick are there to help.
Hangman (2017) - Michael Papajohn as Hangman's Father - IMDb.
According to Glen Powell, Hangman earned his call sign from his reputation of "always leaving you out to dry", although his character originally had the call sign Slayer, which Howell changed on advice from real Navy pilots. (via Cinemablend).
And just as Tom Cruise's Maverick got grief from the cold and cocky Iceman in the original film, Goose's son Rooster (Miles Teller) butts heads with Hangman (Glen Powell), whose name comes from his willingness, as another character states, “to hang you out to dry.”
screenrant.com would disagree because they think it's Tom Skerritt's character, Viper. Jossed by new trailer footage - Maverick is seen hammering his Aviator wings into the casket lid.
Top Gun: Maverick does not have a post-credits scene.
Maverick: "Sorry, Goose, but it's time to buzz the tower." Jester: "That was some of the best flying I've seen to date — right up to the part where you got killed."
Kelly appears as Sarah Kazansky - wife of Val Kilmer's character Tom "Iceman" Kazansky - in the 2022 action drama movie Top Gun: Maverick.
Rick Rossovich – Ron “Slider” Kerner
Iceman's Radar Intercept Officer and partner in crime, Ron “Slider” Kerner is often a thorn in the side of Maverick and Goose, as the battle for who is in Top Gun increases in stakes, even during a game of beach volleyball.
On top of that, Iceman outranks Maverick in Top Gun: Maverick. While Maverick could be more than a Captain if he put his mind to it, his ego and passion for flying prevent him from doing so. Iceman, however, quickly moved up the ladder due to his discipline and commitment to his country.