The announcement of NCIS: Origins—the highly anticipated prequel series exploring the early career of a young Leroy Jethro Gibbs—ignited the NCIS fanbase. Set in 1990, the show promises to delve into Gibbs’ transition from a disciplined Marine to a relentless NCIS agent, charting the start of his legendary career under the tutelage of NCIS Special Agent Mike Franks.
However, behind the scenes, the show is taking inspiration from a source few would expect: Tom Cruise and the ethos of the iconic Navy film, Top Gun.
In a surprising revelation, the show’s creative team, including executive producer Mark Harmon, disclosed that a unique, behind-the-scenes connection involving a Tom Cruise set visit provided a critical injection of energy, discipline, and narrative focus that is fundamentally shaping the DNA of NCIS: Origins. This wasn’t merely a celebrity sighting; it was a deep dive into the culture of excellence and high-stakes performance that defines both the military world and Cruise’s own production philosophy.
The Unexpected Set Visit: Tom Cruise and the “Culture of Excellence”
The story of the secret connection begins not on a naval base, but on a separate production set where key members of the NCIS: Origins team were discussing the massive challenge of recreating the 1990s military culture and the Marine mindset that defines Gibbs.
Mark Harmon, who remains deeply involved in the prequel, confirmed that Tom Cruise, known for his meticulous approach to filmmaking and his deep respect for military accuracy (most recently demonstrated in Top Gun: Maverick), made an unscheduled visit. The conversation quickly turned to authenticity, discipline, and the high standards of performance required to tell a compelling military story.
The Top Gun Philosophy: Discipline and Drive
Cruise’s influence wasn’t about stunts or action sequences; it was about the culture of excellence he cultivates on his sets, which closely mirrors the discipline of the uniformed service. The core takeaway for the NCIS: Origins team was the absolute commitment to realism and immersion.
“We realized we couldn’t just tell a story about a crime; we had to tell a story about a Marine entering a new command culture,” one source close to the production noted. “Cruise’s emphasis on preparation, detail, and the constant striving for perfection is exactly what we needed to instill in the young Gibbs character.”
This philosophy translates directly into the on-screen portrayal of young Gibbs, now played by Austin Stowell. The show will reportedly dedicate significant screen time not just to his cases, but to his transition from the strict, clear-cut hierarchy of the Marine Corps to the more nuanced, ethical gray area of NCIS investigative work.
Shaping Young Gibbs: The “Maverick” Mindset
The Top Gun connection has had a tangible impact on the creative direction and character development of the protagonist.
From Marine to Maverick
In 1990, Leroy Jethro Gibbs is newly married and fresh out of the Marines. The series needs to show how the rigid, rule-following Marine begins to develop the maverick streak that becomes the hallmark of the later Gibbs.
- The Pilot Parallel: Just as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell struggles with authority while maintaining an elite skill set, young Gibbs must learn to navigate the political and procedural complexities of NCIS that conflict with his Marine training. This conflict—the push-pull between following orders and trusting his gut—is a fundamental Top Gun narrative trope that is now central to Origins.
- The Need for Speed (in Investigation): The Top Gun ethos stresses speed, efficiency, and a deep, almost instinctual reliance on skill. The show will reportedly portray Gibbs as an agent who is often too fast, too aggressive, and too dismissive of slower, bureaucratic methods, mirroring the high-velocity world of a fighter pilot.
Mike Franks: The Instructor/Mentor Dynamic
Mike Franks, played by Robert Taylor, serves as the early mentor to Gibbs. The relationship between Franks and Gibbs now has an intentional parallel to the Instructor-Student dynamic found in the Top Gun films. Franks is not just a boss; he is the gatekeeper who must break down and rebuild Gibbs’ investigative philosophy.
This allows NCIS: Origins to utilize the high-stakes, testing environment of the pilot school, applying it to the high-stakes training of an NCIS Special Agent. Every case is a test, every failure is a lesson, and every success is a step toward becoming the legendary Gibbs we know.
Authenticity and Production Design
The influence of the set visit extends beyond character arcs and into the practical execution of the show.
Period Accuracy and Detail
A core tenet of the Top Gun franchise is its commitment to using real Navy equipment and prioritizing practical effects and authentic set design. NCIS: Origins is taking a page from this book by meticulously recreating the early 1990s aesthetic of naval bases and NCIS offices.
The production team is reportedly going to great lengths to ensure that the technology, vehicles, and even the office politics accurately reflect the post-Cold War era. This dedication to period accuracy adds a layer of grounding realism that prevents the prequel from feeling like a simple retread of the original show with younger actors.
High-Octane Pacing
Mark Harmon has hinted that the pacing of NCIS: Origins will be noticeably quicker and more aggressive than the original show’s early seasons. This is another conscious echo of the Top Gun style. The action sequences and investigative procedures will be edited and choreographed to capture the urgent, pressurized environment of a young, hungry agent trying to prove himself.
The energy that propelled the original Top Gun (and its sequel) is now being infused into the narrative flow of the prequel, making every investigation feel like a complex, high-pressure operation.
The Legacy of Origins and the Franchise
The Top Gun connection is not a trivial celebrity footnote; it’s a strategic choice to elevate the prequel from a simple fan service project to a distinct, high-quality military drama.
By integrating the themes of discipline, self-discovery, and the mastery of a high-risk profession, the show ensures that NCIS: Origins stands on its own as a compelling origin story, rather than just a narrative bridge to the main series.
This bold creative direction gives the prequel a clear, defined identity and a higher benchmark for performance, directly inspired by one of Hollywood’s most successful and dedicated portrayers of military excellence. For NCIS fans, the promise is clear: the origin of Gibbs will be a thrilling ride, guided by the very spirit of the Navy’s best and brightest.
