The role of Goose's son was a coveted one and many of young Hollywood's finest were chasing it, even traveling to Cruise's home in Clearwater, Florida, for the testing process.

Teller beat out Nicholas Hoult and Glen Powell for the role. Dylan O'Brien and Austin Butler were among those in the mix in a previous stage.

Teller will play the son of Maverick's wingman and best pal, Goose. Played by Anthony Edwards in the Tony Scott-directed original, the character provides an emotional spine to the movie when he is killed by accident and Maverick blames himself.

Teller last starred in a pair of gritty dramas, Thank You for Your Service and Only the Brave, the true-life firefighting movie that Kosinski directed. The Spectacular Now and Whiplash helped establish his chops early on.