Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who has helmed the Top Gun franchise since its inception, has shared some disappointing news regarding a follow-up to the hugely successful Top Gun: Maverick.
The 2022 sequel brought blockbuster excitement back to theaters in the post-COVID-19 era and garnered several Academy Award nominations. Given its phenomenal success, many expected a third film to swiftly enter production. However, according to Bruckheimer, fans will have to wait a bit longer for Top Gun 3.
While promoting the Sony Pictures sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die and another nostalgia-laden project, Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, Bruckheimer provided an update on Top Gun’s future.
Top Gun: Maverick (Paramount)
He revealed that although they have some intriguing ideas and have discussed them with Tom Cruise, they do not yet have a script. “It will be a while,” he said, indicating that the sequel is still in the early stages of development.
Despite the enthusiasm for a sequel to the blockbuster film featuring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and rising star Glen Powell, Bruckheimer has other priorities at the moment. Moreover, the decision to proceed with the franchise is not solely his to make. Tom Cruise, an integral part of the film, will also play a key role in deciding Top Gun’s future.
As for what a new Top Gun sequel might entail, Top Gun: Maverick struck a perfect balance between nostalgic elements and the introduction of new characters. Audiences resonated with Maverick’s storyline, and the film successfully combined Cruise’s thrilling performances with the value of a legacy.
Jerry Bruckheimer (Paramount)
This balance suggests that future installments might continue to blend the old with the new, potentially passing the torch to a new generation of “Top Guns.”
Glen Powell, who portrayed Hangman, is reportedly approaching a potential sequel differently, thanks to his experiences in other aviation films like Devotion and The Blue Angels.
While Cruise remains a dynamic force capable of delivering box office hits, the development of a new Top Gun movie will likely take time. Fans should brace themselves for a wait before any concrete news about Top Gun 3 emerges. However, it is certain that the elements that made Top Gun: Maverick a success will be leveraged in any future installments.
