Now that executives have confirmed that there will be a Top Gun sequel, the next question many are asking is, will it include everyone’s favorite fighter pilot, Maverick?
Guess who’s playing Maverick in the “Top Gun” sequel? http://t.co/4WH5CKY0PM pic.twitter.com/w6dMiQ5FYU
— Variety (@Variety) June 28, 2015
While confirming the creation of the Top Gun sequel, Skydance Productions CEO, David Ellison, talked about his latest venture, for which the screenplay is still being worked on.
According to Variety , Ellison revealed part of the plot at a press junket for Terminator: Genisys in Berlin, saying, “ Justin Marks is writing the screenplay right now . He has a phenomenal take to really update that world for what fighter pilots in the Navy has turned into today.”
So what exactly does the Navy’s fighter pilots have to face today?
“It is very much a world we live in today where it’s drone technology , and fifth-generation fighters are really what the United States Navy is calling the last man-made fighter that we’re actually going to produce, so it’s really [about] exploring the ‘end of an era’ of dogfighting and fighter pilots and what that culture is today,” said Ellison, as seen in Rolling Stone .
So the Top Gun sequel is going to focus on Navy fighter pilots fighting drones. But more importantly which pilots will be there?
Ellison hinted that “There is no Top Gun without Maverick.”
But does that mean that it will be the real Maverick?
“It is going to be Maverick playing Maverick,” added Ellison.
And according to New York Daily News , the Top Gun sequel won’t just feature a cameo for Maverick; “ Cruise is set to have a starring role .”
Ellison stated, “There is an amazing role for Maverick in the movie.”
Fans of the original Top Gun can now breathe a sigh of relief.
Top Gun 2 is confirmed. Great balls of fire— is another fly-by too good to be true?!?! #GooseRIP http://t.co/Frztpwv090
— Corey Nascenzi (@cnascenzi) June 29, 2015
Top Gun was released in 1986 and was an automatic hit. Top Gun became the highest grossing film of 1986, bringing in $350 million. Also, the soundtrack’s hit love song, “Take My Breath Away,” by Berlin, won the 1986 Oscar for Best Original Song.
So when can we expect the Top Gun sequel to be in theaters?
Ellison can’t give us a date just yet, but explained, “We are very, very hopeful that we get to make the movie very soon. But like all things, it all comes down to the script, and Justin is writing as we speak.”
While the original also starred Val Kilmer and Kelly McGillis, it appears at this point that only Tom Cruise will reprise his role for the Top Gun sequel.
[Photo Courtesy of Variety ]