‘The Acolyte’ Star Manny Jacinto Got All of His Lines Cut From ‘Top Gun: Maverick’: ‘It Wasn’t Shocking to Me … Tom Cruise Is Writing Stories for Tom Cruise’

As a film enthusiast and avid follower of Hollywood news, I’ve been thrilled to see Manny Jacinto‘s career take off in a major way with his captivating performance as Qimir in Disney+’s “Star Wars” series, “The Acolyte.” Jacinto’s allure as a seductive Sith Lord is not only intriguing but also a game-changer in the Star Wars universe.


Manny Jacinto has gained recognition through his TV appearances on “The Good Place” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.” However, his fame is reaching new heights as Qimir in Disney+’s “Star Wars” series “The Acolyte.” Jacinto’s alluring portrayal of a Sith Lord in the show might just be the most appealing character in Star Wars yet. His captivating performance has already made him one of the most talked-about newcomers to the Star Wars franchise.

When “The Acolyte” introduces Jacinto to the thrilling perks of being part of a major Hollywood franchise for the first time, it’s important to note that this wasn’t his initial large-scale production encounter. Prior to joining the “Star Wars” saga, Jacinto was selected for and filmed scenes in “Top Gun: Maverick.” In this film, he portrayed LT Billy “Fritz” Avalone. However, due to editing, most of Jacinto’s lines were removed from the movie, and he mainly appeared in the background of a few brief sequences.

“Jacinto found it complimentary, yet anticipated, that there was some backlash regarding his exclusion from ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’ On set, he sensed the film’s direction shifting towards other actors, resulting in less focus on their shared scenes.”

While “Top Gun: Maverick” brought significant success for Glen Powell and Miles Teller with Tom Cruise’s guidance, Jacinto unfortunately gained little recognition from the film. He remained content despite this turn of events.

I feel fortunate that I got to be a part of it all – witnessing the massive production in action, observing Tom Cruise up close, and even contributing my small role to such an enormous franchise. (GQ interview)

In an interview with a Philippine news source in 2022 (as reported by GQ), Jacinto recalled being selected for the “Top Gun” sequel in 2018. For several months prior to filming, he underwent rigorous flight training alongside genuine military aviators to prepare.

During his training, Jacinto expressed, “It’s like I become a superhero in my own little way.” He added, “The sense of pride is indescribable. Not only did we connect with numerous individuals from the Navy and Air Force during filming, but many of them were Filipinos. Being able to embody their strength and have their faces recognized was an honor I will always cherish.”

Jacinto shared with GQ that he wasn’t aware his part would be significantly reduced in the sequel until it premiered in cinemas.

In simpler terms, Jacinto expressed that being inspired by Tom Cruise’s ability to tell his own stories, it’s essential for Asian Americans and people of color to take the initiative and create their narratives instead of relying on others.

Jacinto is currently experiencing his breakout period, primarily due to his roles in “Star Wars” and “The Acolyte,” which are both available to watch in their entirety on Disney+. However, the production company has not yet made an official announcement regarding a second season. For more information about Jacinto, check out his profile on GQ’s website.

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2024-07-18 03:16