Top Gun: Maverick embroiled in Russian controversy ahead of Oscars 2023

Though everyone and anyone seem to be congratulating Tom Cruise for saving the world from a lack of cinema-goers, as it transpires not everyone has been enamoured with Oscar hopeful Top Gun: Maverick. The Toronto-based Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) asked AMPAS to review the film’s Oscar eligibility, following media reports in January that Russian billionaire Dimitry Rybolovlev indirectly helped finance the film.

In an open letter penned to the Academy, the UWC wants to “express its serious concerns over Russia’s influence on the Hollywood film industry. 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,” they wrote.

“Contrary to the original film, Top Gun: Maverick makes no direct or indirect reference to Russia. This is hardly a coincidence. Hollywood must be vigilant and transparent of Russian money being used to further pro-Kremlin censorship.”

Dimitry Ryobovlev’s involvement in Top Gun: Maverick stems from his silent investment in Los Angeles-based New Republic Pictures, who act as both independent financiers and distributors for several films including Rocketman, their first venture in 2017, while allegedly behind the financing for the forthcoming Mission Impossible 7, also starring Tom Cruise.

The involvement of Ryobovlev might also have more consequences than merely tarnishing the Oscars and Tom Cruise’s reputation. The oligarch was named as one of several Russian businessmen sanctioned by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and with a current trade embargo occurring between Russia and the United States over the continued conflict in Ukraine, any financial involvement might be considered breaking that trade embargo.

The revelation of Dimity Ryobovlev’s involvement with New Republic Pictures first came to light after a former producer, Bradley Fischer filed suit against his former firm, New Republic Pictures, in Los Angeles Superior Court on December 29, 2022, Artnet reported. Fischer is claiming $15 million in a breach of contract suit, blaming his loss of earnings on Rybolovlev’s efforts to protect his assets from potential fallout related to the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier in 2022.