Tom Cruise sets up screening of 'Top Gun: Maverick' for Ohio State's marching band

It's (finally) time to buzz the tower.

Following up on a promise he made to the Ohio State University Marching Band in December, Tom Cruise (and presumably his team) has organized a special screening of the much-anticipated "Top Gun" sequel ahead of its widespread release.

"Top Gun: Maverick" is set to hit the silver screen May 27, but members of the The Best Damn Band in the Land will be able to see the movie a week before the general public on Friday at the Wexner Center for the Arts.

All members of last year's band have been invited to the screening, according to Ohio State, and more than 200 students and staff are expected to attend.

Cruise wowed by 'Top Gun'-themed halftime performance

The promise of a special screening came after Cruise praised TBDBITL's "Top Gun"-themed halftime show from last season on Nov. 13 when the Buckeyes played Purdue. Band members formed the "Top Gun" logo, aviator sunglasses and the word "Maverick," and, to the delight of fans, they simulated a F-18 jet taking off.

“The Top Gun tribute was fantastic. What a phenomenal performance – thank you!” Cruise wrote in a letter to the band. “I’d love for you all to be my guests for a special screening of Top Gun: Maverick in Columbus this Spring.”

Cruise has provided the band with "Top Gun" T-shirts and Paramount Pictures will be providing other promotional materials on Friday night, according to a news release.

Monroe Trombly covers breaking and trending news.

mtrombly@dispatch.com

@MonroeTrombly

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Tom Cruise invites Ohio State marching band to see "Top Gun: Maverick"