Tom Cruise's Jacket In 'Top Gun: Maverick' Has Sparked Online Controversy

And in a world that's littered with reboots, remakes, and sequels, this is one people have been waiting to see for quite some time.

I mean, at least since 1986.

Which was packed to the brim with all sorts of the iconic Comic-Con triple Ts: twists, turns, and trailers.

A lot of trailers.

Okay, so maybe it's been a couple of trailers, but there's only one that's the focus of today's article, folks.

Wow, look at you! Paying such close attention to my writing!

Honestly, I couldn't be more flattered.

Well, you might not believe this people, but it's like we're in the Cold War era again.

That's right, this controversy has to do with one of this world's greatest fears...communists.

Communist China is apparently messing around with one of our greatest loves: movies about our military and how great it is.

Or at least, that's what the people on Twitter believe.

The Japanese and the Taiwanese flag.

And instead, it's replaced with... some other ones.

Has a pretty complex relationship with both Japan and Taiwan, so it makes sense that their movie-going public (or, more likely, their government) wouldn't want their flags represented in a movie.

Because the movie is produced not only by Paramount Pictures but by their partner companies, Skydance Media, and the Chinese production company Tencent Pictures.

So some think that the movie is pandering to Beijing.

Or should I say Panda-ering?

All over Twitter (well, in some circles, including a comment from Senator Lindsey Graham) they're complaining about this change.

As they should be! American movies should not have to pander to Chinese wishes.

Yes, there could be a story-related reason for switching the flags around.

Pointed out that while the jacket from the original movie was his father's, this jacket might be showing off his own exploits.

Specifically, Maverick's exploits from the very first Top Gun movie.

And we all know that the filmmakers of Top Gun: Maverick are trying to make money.

Maybe this is all just a way to appeal to a wider audience.

Or maybe it's something more sinister...

Is this just a coincidence? Was it done for a story/costume reason?

Or is it an evil plot by the Chinese government to infiltrate our most treasured films? Only time will tell.