Actor and fantasy football enthusiast Miles Teller is going to have a pretty big summer, with the opening of the highly anticipated Top Gun sequel set to hit theaters in June. Before all that though, he’s hanging out and soaking up the atmosphere in Miami, pre Super Bowl. He spoke to For The Win about his new movie, fantasy football tips and how glad he is the Patriots can’t win Super Bowl 54.
There’s a huge amount of anticipation for Top Gun: Maverick. What can you share without giving away spoilers?
Miles Teller: I can’t say too much about it, but it’s a true sequel it takes place in the present day. It’s where Maverick would be 30 some odd years later and he comes back as our instructor. He’s training us as a special detachment.
So, you can’t share that much.
MT: No, but what I can talk about is the training of it. In the first one Tom (Cruise) was the only guy who could stand being in the jet for a little bit because of the G-force. None of those guys really did training for it. For this, Tom came up with a very specific training schedule for us so we had three months worth of flying lessons, just so that we could be able to film in these jets, because you’re experiencing 71/2 Gs, and that’s like 1,600 lbs of pressure or something. You are whipping around in that thing. We were put through the ringer by Tom.
Did you ever get sick through all that? That sounds intense.
MT: I did not, but if you talked to 50% of the other guys, it’s different. I think about 50% of the people who trained were getting sick every time they went up. It’s really intense.
Do you have a favorite memory from the making of the film?
MT: I think just when we were doing the training, we were all in Nevada, where Top Gun is. And when Tom put on the Maverick helmet, when we saw him put that on for the first time, that was kind of like a pinch me moment. It all felt very real at that moment.
So, I know you play a lot of fantasy football…
MT: Yeah, I play way too much. I used to be in one league and now I’m in, I don’t know, five or something.
You did really well this season, you won two of the leagues you’re in and got second place in the AGBO Superhero league. What’s your advice on how to dominate in leagues?
MT: I try and grab guys from offenses that I think are just going to put up points. I don’t reach with QBs. I got Russell Wilson pretty late. I usually end up grabbing a pretty good tight end because to me there’s usually a pretty big gap between the top couple of guys and then you can stream a tight end and then they’re hot for a little bit, and then they disappear from the offense.
A lot of the time there’s injuries too, so gotta be good on the free agent wire. Chris Godwin came out of nowhere this year, so hopefully your hunches are right. But then my buddy had the Patriots defense, and they were scoring more points than like, any of the top wide receivers by a long shot. There’s always something weird that happens.
You’ve got a coveted spot in the Bloodsport fantasy league. Was there a last place penalty or punishment this season?
Editors note: Bloodsport is the super exclusive league started by actor Chris Evans.
MT: No, we haven’t gotten into the punishment yet. Actually, originally, I think there was initially a pretty big buy-in and then Evans one, and I don’t think anyone sent him any money. It’s just for pride. We’re all in a group chat so it’s really for the smack talk.
Can you share any of that trash talk that goes down?
MT: Well, it’s all pretty constant. There’s some pretty funny dudes in there who like, do comedy for a living, so it’s pretty fun. They could turn that group chat into a half-hour sitcom and people would be happy with the writing. It’s great.
Who’s the funniest?
MT: [Paul] Rudd’s pretty funny, Ryan Reynolds is very funny. Those two guys stick out. Oh, and Pratt.
Do you have a rooting interest in this year’s Super Bowl?
MT: I’m good both ways, I like the style of football the 9ers play. I like to see the rushing attack. I’m just glad there’s no chance the Patriots can win the Super Bowl.
Last question, seriously, how handsome is Jimmy Garoppolo. Think he can make it Hollywood?
MT: [Laughs] Sure, when he retires lets put him on a soap opera.
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