Fans of the blockbuster Top Gun franchise are headed back to the danger zone.
Paramount Pictures has officially confirmed that Top Gun 3 is in development, with Tom Cruise set to return as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
The announcement came during Paramount’s presentation at CinemaCon on April 16 in Las Vegas. Studio executive Josh Greenstein said a script is underway and that Cruise will reunite with longtime producer Jerry Bruckheimer on the project.
News of a third installment had circulated since early 2024 after the enormous success of Top Gun: Maverick. The sequel became one of the biggest box office hits of the decade, grossing about $1.5 billion worldwide and helping movie theaters rebound after the pandemic slowdown.
“Maverick” also earned six Academy Award nominations, including best picture, and won for best sound.
No additional cast members have been officially announced, but the 2022 sequel introduced several younger stars who could return, including Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman and Monica Barbaro.
A director has not yet been named. “Maverick” was directed by Joseph Kosinski, who took over the franchise after original “Top Gun” director Tony Scott died in 2012.
Writer-producer Christopher McQuarrie said in a 2025 podcast interview that a story concept was already in place, based on an idea pitched by screenwriter Ehren Kruger.
The new film would mark Cruise’s return to one of Hollywood’s most successful action series after the apparent conclusion of another signature franchise, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
Source: USA Today