Top Gun: Maverick proved to be one of the biggest commercial hits of Tom Cruise’s career. The film reintroduced viewers to Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, alongside a newer cast of fighter pilots, who left a lasting impression on the viewers. As a result, fans have been eagerly anticipating the news of a third installment.
Recently, producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who worked on the previous two installments, shared a positive update on plans for a third installment in the Top Gun franchise. However, Bruckheimer’s comments hinted that another one of Cruise’s hit franchises might be the biggest hurdle in front of Top Gun 3. Here is everything Bruckheimer revealed about Top Gun 3.
Top Gun Producer Provides Encouraging Update on the Third Installment in Tom Cruise Franchise
Top Gun: Maverick released in May 2022, nearly twenty-five years after the first installment. It emerged as a major box office hit, grossing $1.4 billion at the global box office. As a result, anticipation started building around a third installment, which was reported to be in development in January 2024.
In a recent interview with ScreenRant, producer Jerry Bruckheimer provided an update on the highly anticipated sequel. Bruckheimer said:
“It will be Tom Cruise. Tom is amazing. We spent time with him. We have a story. Joe Kosinski had a wonderful story idea for it, and he (Tom Cruise) said I really like that, so we’re developing it.”
Bruckheimer’s statement confirmed that Tom Cruise will be reprising his role in the third installment. At the same time, Bruckheimer also suggested that director Joseph Kosinski, who helmed the previous installment, will be back in the director’s chair. However, Bruckheimer did not provide hints about plot details aside from confirming that the team was working on a screenplay. Bruckheimer was promoting The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare at the time.
Tom Cruise’s Other Hit Franchise Might Be Standing in the Way of Top Gun 3
While Bruckheimer’s comments provided a positive update regarding the future of the Top Gun franchise, the producer also seemingly hinted that it will be a while before the threequel materializes. Bruckheimer added:
“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.”
Bruckheimer suggested that there was currently no production timeline for a third installment in the Top Gun franchise, because of Cruise’s other commitments, including the next installment in his Mission: Impossible franchise.
Cruise is currently filming the yet-untitled eighth Mission: Impossible film, directed by Christopher McQuarrie. Filming on the eighth installment had been paused due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes but has reportedly resumed in March 2024. It is currently scheduled to be released on May 23, 2025.
Based on Bruckheimer’s comments it is safe to say that the Mission: Impossible franchise is the primary hurdle before the next Top Gun. However, the producer stated that Cruise is expected to star in another unannounced film before potentially returning to the Top Gun franchise, making it nearly impossible for the threequel to start work before 2025.
Top Gun: Maverick is streaming on Paramount+.
