Tom Cruise providing Ohio State Marching Band with screening of new 'Top Gun' movie

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Following up on a promise he made to the Ohio State Marching Band in December, Tom Cruise will be providing the band with a screening of the new Top Gun: Maverick movie Friday at the Wexner Center for the Arts.

Band members will be getting to see the film a week before it hits theaters on May 27.

The Best Damn Band in the Land played hits from the original Top Gun during Ohio State's win over Purdue last season.

Showing his appreciation, Cruise sent a letter to the band, personally inviting them to be his guests for the premiere.

Dear band,

The Top Gun tribute was fantastic, what a phenomenal performance. Thank you so much! I'd love for you all to be my guest for a special screening of Top Gun Maverick in Columbus this spring, and best of luck to The Ohio State University in the Rose Bowl.

Sincerely, Tom Cruise.

Cruise also provided t-shirts for all the band students at the time and Paramount Pictures will be providing other promotional materials Friday night.

All 2021 marching band members were invited to attend the screening, and more than 200 band students and staff are expected to be in attendance.