The hype surrounding 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick was off the charts, and it reignited everyone’s interest in the franchise. Not only did it get rave reviews from critics (it even scored a Best Picture nomination), but it also smashed records at the box office, raking in $1.5 billion worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).
This box office behemoth proved that the Top Gun saga is far from over. Now, producer Jerry Bruckheimer also confirms Top Gun 3 is in the works, with a story idea that has Tom Cruise excited.
But fans of high-octane aerial action might have to wait longer for the next flick. Despite the immense success of Top Gun: Maverick, a third installment in the franchise appears to be on hold due to Cruise’s jam-packed schedule.
Producer Confirms Tom Cruise’s Enthusiasm for Top Gun 3 Script
In January 2024, it was confirmed by Variety that a sequel to Top Gun: Maverick is in the works. However, producer Jerry Bruckheimer has revealed that the filming for Top Gun 3 depends largely on Tom Cruise‘s schedule. Right now, the Hollywood star is busy filming Mission: Impossible 8, and he has another project lined up after that.
Bruckheimer recognized the difficulty in coordinating everything given Cruise’s commitments. But the producer did mention that the 61-year-old liked the story idea. He told Screen Rant:
“It will be Tom Cruise [leading the cast]. Tom is amazing. We spent time with him. We have a story. Joe Kosinski had a wonderful story idea for it, and [Tom] said, ‘I really like that,’ so we’re developing it. But you never know when it’s going to get made because Tom is so busy. He’s doing ‘Mission: Impossible’ right now, he’s got a picture after it. Hopefully, we’ll get a screenplay that he loves, and we’ll be back in the air again.”
There’s definitely a strong desire to make the next Top Gun movie happen. Bruckheimer has confirmed that there’s a story idea ready to roll, crafted by Joseph Kosinski, the director of Top Gun: Maverick. So, it seems like the movie isn’t too far off from becoming a reality.
Maverick’s Future Bright Despite Uncertain Release Date
Even though the release date remains up in the air, there’s a chance we might see some familiar faces from Top Gun: Maverick joining Tom Cruise. Actors like Glen Powell and Miles Teller, who played ‘Hangman’ and ‘Rooster’ in the last movie, have dropped hints that they could be back for more action.
“There is going to be some fun stuff being announced soon,” Powell said earlier this year. “There is stuff happening and it sounds very exciting.”
Cruise is known for his dedication to his craft, especially when it comes to performing his own stunts in action-packed films. This dedication, however, makes scheduling a challenge.
Filming for high-octane action movies like Mission: Impossible is demanding, leaving the Syracuse native with limited free time. While fans may have to wait a bit longer to see Maverick back in action, the future looks bright for this beloved franchise.
Watch Top Gun: Maverick on Prime Video.
