Paramount confirms Top Gun 3
Paramount has officially confirmed the development of the long-awaited third installment in the “Top Gun” franchise.
In fact, Josh Greenstein, Paramount film co-head, told The Hollywood Reporter during CinemaCon that “Top Gun 3 officially in development with a script underway, reuniting Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer.”
After the massive success of “Top Gun: Maverick,” the update instantly reignited excitement around the franchise.
The confirmation of Cruise’s involvement signals continuity for a series that has thrived on his presence even though no director has been announced yet.
The groundwork for another high-stakes aviation story is clearly being laid although details remain under wraps.
However, the script has been in development for some time, with “Maverick” co-writer Ehren Kruger reportedly working on it behind the scenes for the past two years.
Tom Cruise rejecting AI Iceman
Moreover, attention has been drawn by one behind-the-scenes debate that revealed how strongly Tom Cruise feels about certain creative decisions.
Early discussions about bringing Iceman back using artificial intelligence following the passing of Val Kilmer in April 2025 were quickly shut down.
One insider told the Daily Mail that “Someone suggested bringing Val Kilmer back via AI. Tom jumped to his feet and let rip, leaving the entire room silent for literally minutes. You could almost hear a pin drop and see steam coming out of his ears.”
Insiders claim Cruise strongly opposed any attempt to digitally recreate the late star, viewing it as crossing an ethical line and highlighting his deep respect for Kilmer, both as an actor and as a friend.
According to sources not only for Cruise preserving the integrity of Kilmer’s legacy is non-negotiable but he also believes artificial intelligence could undermine the emotional weight of Kilmer’s final appearance in “Top Gun: Maverick.”
“Val only managed to make a brief appearance in Maverick due to his long battle with cancer. Tom knew it would be Val’s screen farewell and wanted to give him the honorable send-off he deserved,” one source explained.
“The moment he shared with Val in Maverick was such a beautiful experience, that when an AI Val was brought up, he wasn’t happy and quickly killed it because that would just bastardize everything,” another insider said.
“Will the movie reference Val? Yes, but Maverick is the last time we’ll see him,” the source explained, confirming that any future references to Iceman will remain respectful and grounded in reality.
Possible storylines
Possible storylines for Top Gun 3 were outlined by Men’s Journal. One would see Maverick taking on a higher-ranking role while defending human pilots against a Navy increasingly reliant on AI drones. Another storyline would feature Hangman testing experimental drone technology with Rooster could stepping into a leadership role.
Although speculative, these ideas align with themes of evolving aerial combat and generational change.
Earning nearly $1.5 billion globally and winning an Oscar for Best Sound, Top Gun: Maverick is the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career. Drawing critical acclaim with a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score, the 2022 sequel revitalized the franchise decades after the 1986 original.
Given its success a third movie became inevitable, with Paramount relying on the proven Cruise-Bruckheimer partnership for the next chapter that balancing innovation with respect for the past, guided by a star determined to get it right it is becoming a carefully crafted continuation of a beloved story.
Even though is still under development, Top Gun 3 is shaping up to be more than just another sequel.
Photo credit: Paramount
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