[Request] Top Gun (1986): Ultimate Open Matte Version

[Hydra Spectre]

So, I loved the open matte look of Top Gun, and I know the film was shot with CinemaScope in mind (but filmed in 4:3 safe for 1.66:1).
Now, I hope someone can make an Ultimate Open Matte Version of the film similar to the work in the Wizarding World Ultimate Definitive Editions.

My idea is that the film will be the same theatrical cut, but in a constant open matte ratio of 16:9 (nothing was cropped for the 16:9 open matte).
It will use the 2020 4K remaster as a basis for the video, with AutoOverlay being used on top of an AI upscaled version of the 16:9 open matte release.
And there can also be an alternate 4:3 version as well.

The audio available would be the following:
English: Dolby Stereo FLAC 2.0 (1986 Dolby Stereo 35mm Two-Track mix)
English: Dolby Digital 5.1 (1986 Dolby Stereo 70mm Six-Track mix)
English: Dolby TrueHD EX 5.1 (2004 5.1 remix)
English: DTS-HD MA 6.1 Discrete (2004 6.1 remix)
English: Dolby Atmos (2020 Dolby Atmos remix)

It should be done in both SDR and HDR just like the Wizarding World open mattes.
And since Dolby Vision metadata can be extracted from the UHD Blu-ray with no enhancement layer, it can be injected to the HDR open matte.

[dvdmike]

Down for the HDR, a switching version like Maverick would be fun also

[CloakedDragon97]

Will the 1998 DVD be used at all? It has even more vertical information than the 16:9 version.

[Hitcher]

Down for the HDR, a switching version like Maverick would be fun also

Will the 1998 DVD be used at all? It has even more vertical information than the 16:9 version.

This isn't a working project; just a request for someone else to do it.

[Hydra Spectre]

Will the 1998 DVD be used at all? It has even more vertical information than the 16:9 version.

This is a request/proposal. I cannot actually do this.
As for using the 1998 DVD, it loses horizontal information compared to the other versions. Meanwhile, the 16:9 version loses no horizontal information compared to the original 21:9.
And it would probably be better to have it be in full 16:9 for the entire film. No cropping, no black bars whatsoever.

[WDW203]

Will the 1998 DVD be used at all? It has even more vertical information than the 16:9 version.

The 2004 Fullscreen DVD is of much higher quality than the 1998 DVD and may share a master with the original Blu-Ray release. However, the 1998 fullscreen DVD also has a 2.00:1 Widescreen option and may have the LaserDisc AC3 track at a higher bitrate.

[Tylerdurden389]

Excited for this. I grew up on the vhs and even still have an older dvd with both formats. I just feel the widescreen versions don't show enough of the planes (which, as a kid was always why I watched it). I actually got into an argument with 1 or 2 people on a certain message board over this topic lol. I even went as far as to say how in the widescreen version, when Tom is on his way to Top Gun and he fist bumps the plane taking off, you can't see his hand, so for all we know he's flipping off the pilot lol.

However, in recent years I've noticed that any scenes that aren't up in the air (IE: probably 3/4 of the movie) has LOTS of headroom. But I still maintain during the infamous "Need for speed" shot, I do prefer how in the fullscreen version, you can see Tom and Edwards from top to bottom (as well as that gorgeous blue sky), whereas in one of the more recent blu-rays, not only do you NOT see them high five each other, but Edward's head is completely outta frame lol.

[Stamper]

That's why an IMAX version is the best of both worlds!

[2001CluelessDianogas]

Would be very cool. 35mm print might take a while to track down and be very pricey.

[Hydra Spectre]

That's why an IMAX version is the best of both worlds!

The film did get an IMAX 3D release. But it was matted to CinemaScope.

Would be very cool. 35mm print might take a while to track down and be very pricey.

All 35mm prints are most likely anamorphic in CinemaScope.
To have a 35mm scan of the full open matte presentation, we would need the negatives, the 4K scans of said negatives, or someone who has access to one or the other.