Despite organising a Top Gun style fly-past by two U.S. Navy fighter jets, which roared over the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at the start of the night, the Academy could not tempt Tom Cruise to their main event.

The planes came from the Flying Eagles squadron at a nearby military airbase, and a spokesman for the Academy later said: ‘A huge thank you to the U.S. navy for helping execute a once-in-a-lifetime Oscars opening.’

It likely cost them nothing, but was a massive favour nonetheless — not to mention the biggest plug imaginable for Top Gun: Maverick.

And yet, as the dust settles for another year, Cruise’s absence from the show, and the reasons behind it, are still being mulled after the actor snubbed the ceremony and was pictured at Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday party in London on Tuesday.

Theories that he couldn’t stand to be in the same room as ex-wife Nicole Kidman are appealingly simple, but probably ‘hogwash’.

Despite organising a Top Gun style fly-past by two U.S. Navy fighter jets, the Academy Awards could not tempt Tom Cruise to their main event

Celebrations: The Hollywood heavyweight instead stayed in London where he attended Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday party two days after the ceremony

Hogwash? Theories that he couldn’t stand to be in the same room as ex-wife Nicole Kidman are appealingly simple, but probably ‘hogwash’ (Nicole pictured at the Oscars)

Most now believe Cruise was disappointed when, despite a nomination, it was clear that Academy members just weren’t voting for Top Gun in sufficient numbers for a win.

I also hear talk that he was wary of being embarrassed in public by host Jimmy Kimmel, though that seems unlikely.

The comedian’s executive producer Molly McNearney said: ‘Jimmy loves Tom! Tom had just been on the show the week before, and they talked about seeing each other. Jimmy was really disappointed he didn’t come.’

Cruise also heard a rumour that writer and actor Judd Apatow, who made jokes at his expense at the DGA Awards a few days before, was helping Kimmel.

In fact, McNearney said Apatow was among the trusted group Kimmel sent the monologue to for vetting — with a brief to say, honestly, if the jokes worked.

‘We had a three-minute chunk of the monologue dedicated to Tom Cruise, honouring him and his role in reviving the movie industry,’ she insisted.

‘We were so disappointed when we learned a few days before that he wouldn’t be there. Jimmy wanted to celebrate him.’

In the end, Kimmel quipped that the shirtless volleyball sequence in Top Gun 2 was ‘L. Ron Hubba Hubba’ — a joke which Scientologist Cruise would certainly not have appreciated.

Opening: The planes came from the Flying Eagles squadron at a nearby military airbase, and a spokesman for the Academy later said: ‘A huge thank you to the U.S. navy’

After missing out on a night with Hollywood’s finest, Tom appeared in great spirits when he was seen at Sir Michael’s birthday bash at London’s River Cafe two days later.

om and Michael have known each other for years through the acting circuit – and starred in 2002’s Austin Powers in Goldmember together.

Tom  was dressed to impress for the occasion in a smart black shirt and dark trousers paired with a stylish watch.

Meanwhile, other friends stepping out after helping Michael celebrate included former Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams, 51 and Denise Welch, 64.

Elsewhere, Andrew Lloyd Webber was seen making his way out into the night alongside glamorous wife Madeline.