Top Gun 3 may be more likely now, as Maverick's director hints at another sequel. Maverick, a follow-up to 1986's Top Gun stars Tom Cruise as the skilled Navy pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, development on Maverick began in 2010 and eventually culminated in a serious box office hit that stunned audiences. The series is acclaimed for its high-flying stunts and insightful look into the world of Naval aviation.
During Deadline's Contenders LA3C panel, Kosinski discussed how difficult the filming process was, as each of the actors was made to take part in an intensive and rigorous training course that prepared them to film the movie's stunts in real time. Yet, after discussing the troublesome training, Kosinski went on to mention that there is potential for there to be another iteration of the Top Gun story:
Is there another story that is compelling enough that we need to go back? It seems to me at the end of this film that Maverick has some gas left in the tank. He’s not settling down.
What Is Top Gun: Maverick's Tom Cruise Doing Next?
Considering Top Gun: Maverick's box office success, it's no surprise that the director is open to a sequel. Even after 36 years out of theaters, the franchise proved it can still be a slam dunk. With that much box office potential, it's no wonder Kosinski is being asked about Top Gun 3. Yet, while there may be a sequel eventually, the long development process of Maverick means that it will still be another few years before a potential new movie is even announced. Still, it's a good sign for the franchise that the director is entertaining the idea of a sequel.
However, Cruise isn't sitting by and waiting for the opportunity. Despite Maverick's rigorous stunts, Cruise isn't the sort of actor to take time to himself to recover. His next film, Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, is gearing up for a July 14 release and is expected to feature everything typical of Cruise films — from incredible stunts to shocking action. It even borrows from some of Cruise's Maverick training, as the official teaser promises midair dogfights. The film is written and directed by Christopher McQuarrie, who has worked on the Mission: Impossible franchise before with 2015's Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation and 2018's Mission: Impossible - Fallout.
Cruise is also slated to participate in a groundbreaking film currently in development. It will see the actor filming in outer space alongside the spaceflight company SpaceX. While there is no word on when Cruise will actually take part in his flight or if it will wind up happening for sure, the star would make Hollywood history as the first actor to film on the International Space Station. With such an intense project in the works, Cruise's involvement could affect a potential Top Gun 3.
Source: Deadline