But footage of Cruise from the movie was featured just after the start of the telecast during an introductory montage showing the year's films. Host Jimmy Kimmel was spliced into a pivotal Maverick scene and appeared to be speaking with Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell from the cockpit. After Cruise's character said to pull the plane's ejection handles, Kimmel responded, "I don't want to pull the handles. What's wrong with this guy?" When Cruise again said to eject, Kimmel quipped, "Why are you like this, Tom?"

Following the video segment, Kimmel then appeared to descend from the ceiling while wearing a parachute. "Give me a second to adjust my danger zone here," Kimmel joked, referring to the original 1986 film's Oscar-winning Kenny Loggins song, "Danger Zone," which was also used in the sequel.

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During the monologue, Kimmel discussed the movie by jokingly mentioning "a small, independent film called Top Gun: Maverick."

Kimmel went on to allude to the fact that Cruise is one of the most prominent members of the Church of Scientology, which was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. "The movie that saved the movies," Kimmel said. "Everyone loved Top Gun -- everybody. I mean, Tom Cruise with his shirt off in that beach football scene. L. Ron hubba-hubba -- you know what I'm saying?"

The host went on to point out that neither Cruise nor Avatar: The Way of Water director James Cameron -- both ardent champions of the theatrical experience -- attended the ceremony.

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"The two guys who insisted we go to the theatre didn't come to the theatre," Kimmel said. "So if you're hoping to get a look at Tom Cruise, he's not here. Or maybe he is here. Maybe that's Tom Cruise right there, wearing a Judd Hirsch Mission: Impossible mask. There's only one way to find out for sure: Judd, we're going to need you to drive a motorcycle off the roof of the theatre."

When Maverick's team received the Oscar for best sound, marking the film's lone win, Cruise was among those thanked during the acceptance speech. 

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