Tom Cruise is thought to be returning to his iconic role of Maverick as Top Gun 3 is reportedly in the works at Paramount Pictures.
It might have taken more than 35 years for Pete "Maverick" Mitchell to swoop back on to our screens after the first instalment of his story was released in 1986, but the creators apparently don't want to wait so long again.
Following the huge success of Top Gun: Maverick, which grossed $1.496 billion worldwide and earned numerous award nominations, there's now talk of the franchise becoming a trilogy.
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The news was first reported by Puck, and comes just days after Cruise signed a deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to develop and produce theatrical films.
Cruise is set to star in the films he creates with Warner Bros. Discovery, but the non-exclusive pact means he can still work with other studios like Paramount, where he is currently shooting Mission: Impossible 8.
The deal leaves him free to work on a Top Gun 3, which is said to be in development with Top Gun: Maverick co-writer Ehren Kruger writing a draft of the screenplay.
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The new movie is expected to reunite Cruise with Miles Teller and Glen Powell, who played young pilots Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw and Jake "Hangman" Seresin in the second movie.
Producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison are also expected to return for the third movie, while Maverick director Joe Kosinski will reportedly make a comeback to either direct or produce.
Teller previously discussed his potential return to the role of Rooster in 2022, when he told Entertainment Tonight: "That would be great, but that's all up to TC. It's all up to Tom."
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With Cruise now apparently on board, Puck speculated that Top Gun 3 could be the actor's next project after he completes Mission: Impossible 8, which is set to be released in May 2025.
As for his deal with Warner Bros. Discovery, Cruise said: "I have great respect and admiration for David [Zaslav], Pam [Abdy], Mike [De Luca] and the entire team at Warner Bros. Discovery and their commitment to movies, movie fans, and the theatrical experience. I look forward to making great movies together!”
Cruise's busy schedule means fans likely won't get to see Top Gun 3 in cinemas any time soon, but news of the script being written indicates we're at least one step closer to takeoff.
UNILAD has contacted Paramount Pictures for further comment.
Topics: Tom Cruise, Film and TV, Celebrity
Emily Brown