Ukraine calls on Academy to review Top Gun: Maverick’s Oscars eligibility

Tom Cruise blockbuster reportedly has funding ties to sanctioned Russian oligarch Dmitry Rybolovlev

US actor Tom Cruise arrives at the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick in London. Reuters

The Ukrainian World Congress is asking the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to “review the eligibility” of Top Gun: Maverick for this year’s Oscars over the film’s reported link to a Russian oligarch.

In an open letter, the UWC urged the organisation to be “vigilant” against “any attempts to influence Hollywood and American society”.

The plea comes less than a week before the 95th Academy Awards, which will be broadcast on March 12.

Tom Cruise’s blockbuster sequel has earned six Oscar nominations, including one for best picture.

The Los Angeles Times recently highlighted the film’s claimed funding ties to Dmitry Rybolovlev, a Russian oligarch who has had sanctions imposed by Ukraine.

According to the UWC, Mr Rybolovlev’s involvement with the film was not publicly disclosed.

“There is good reason to believe that his involvement may have led to censorship on behalf of the Kremlin,” it said.

The UWC said that, unlike the first Top Gun film, no direct or indirect reference to Russia is made in the sequel.

The letter is addressed to Academy president Janet Yang and members of the board of governors. In it, the UWC called for “appropriate action” against films with Russian involvement.

“Ukrainians and friends of Ukraine around the world are grateful to the Academy for its long-standing support of Ukraine,” the letter said.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, with Tom Cruise as she arrives for the London premiere of Top Gun: Maverick. Getty

“We were moved by the moment of silence showing solidarity with Ukraine at last year’s Academy Awards and by the various tributes made by Academy members.

“As they enter the second year of defending the families against Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainians are grateful to receive this important support from such a high-profile and influential institution.”

The letter went on to detail the UWC’s “serious concerns” over Russian influence in Hollywood.

“Rybolovlev’s funding of Top Gun: Maverick was not publicly disclosed and there is good reason to believe that his involvement may have led to censorship on behalf of the Kremlin,” the letter said.

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  Tom Cruise as Captain Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell in 'Top Gun: Maverick'. All photos: Paramount Pictures

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  Jon Hamm plays Admiral Beau 'Cyclone' Simpson.

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  Jennifer Connelly, left, takes the role of Penny Benjamin, the love interest of Cruise's character.

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  Ed Harris plays the rear admiral.

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  Charles Parnell plays Warlock.

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  Lewis Pullman as pilot-in-training Bob.

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  Monica Barbaro plays Lieutenant Natasha 'Phoenix' Trace.

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  Miles Teller as Lieutenant Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw.

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  Jay Ellis as Lieutenant Reuben 'Payback' Fitch.

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  Danny Ramirez is Lieutenant 'Fanboy'.

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  From left, Jay Ellis, Monica Barbaro and Danny Ramirez in 'Top Gun: Maverick'.

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  Glen Powell is Lieutenant Jake 'Hangman' Seresin.

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  Tom Cruise reprises his role 36 years after the first film came out.

“Hollywood must be vigilant and transparent of Russian money being used to further pro-Kremlin censorship.”

The UWC called for the Academy to “explicitly reject films with any direct or indirect investments by Russian oligarchs or other enablers of Russia’s genocidal war on Ukraine”.

It also said the eligibility of Top Gun: Maverick should be reviewed and a “strong statement” should be issued by the Academy at the ceremony condemning the war.

“Together we can make a difference to stop Russia’s war crimes against the Ukrainian people,” said the letter, signed by UWC president Paul Grod.

PA contributed to this report