Manny Jacinto's Role Minimized in Top Gun: Maverick

Manny Jacinto, known for roles in 'The Good Place' and 'The Acolyte,' has spoken out about his minimized role in 'Top Gun: Maverick.' Despite months of preparation and grueling training, his character, LT Billy 'Fritz' Avalone, was cut to mere background appearances with no dialogue. Jacinto was not shocked by this, noting that Tom Cruise tends to create stories centered on himself. He expressed that this experience fuels his determination to create opportunities for actors of diverse backgrounds, emphasizing that Asian Americans and people of color need to tell their own stories. While disappointed, Jacinto found the experience valuable and educational, observing the inner workings of a major Hollywood production. Fans had expressed their disappointment over his reduced role, highlighting his underutilized talent.