Some sequels crash on takeoff. Top Gun: Maverick didn’t just fly—it soared past every expectation, earning $1.496 billion worldwide and becoming the second-highest-grossing film of 2022. With Paramount now officially developing Top Gun 3, fans want to know how the franchise pulled this off and what comes next. Here’s what we know for certain, what’s still unclear, and where things stand with the cast.

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Release Year: 2022 · Lead Actor: Tom Cruise · Sequel To: Top Gun (1986) · Top Gun 3 Status: In Development · Director: Joseph Kosinski

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Maverick trains Top Gun graduates for a specialized, dangerous mission (Wikipedia)
  • The film includes Rooster, son of Maverick’s deceased best friend Goose (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
  • Full Top Gun 3 cast beyond Tom Cruise
  • Whether Tom Cruise performs actual flight stunts in Top Gun 3
  • Exact script completion status for Top Gun 3
3Timeline signal
  • 1986: Original Top Gun released
  • 2022: Top Gun: Maverick theatrical release
  • Announced 2024: Top Gun 3 officially in development by Paramount
4What’s next
  • Script co-written by Christopher McQuarrie and Eric Singer
  • Tom Cruise confirmed to return as Maverick
  • Release window reportedly targeting 2028–2029

The production details below highlight the film’s scale and its place in Tom Cruise’s career trajectory.

Label Value
Starring Tom Cruise as Pete Maverick Mitchell
Director Joseph Kosinski
Runtime Context Sequel after 36 years
Mission Focus Training younger pilots

Is Top Gun 2 a hit or flop?

Box Office Performance

Top Gun: Maverick didn’t just perform well—it shattered records. The film grossed $718,732,821 domestically and $777 million internationally, totaling approximately $1.496 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film in the United States and Canada for 2022 (The Numbers, Wikipedia). Domestically, it ranks #5 all-time with those earnings (Box Office Mojo). The opening weekend alone brought in $126,707,459—a remarkable 17.6% of the eventual total, with domestic legs of 5.67 meaning the film held audiences for months (The Numbers).

On June 17, 2022, the film crossed $800 million worldwide and officially became Tom Cruise’s highest-grossing film ever (Wikipedia). The production budget of $177 million translated into a net profit of $391.1 million according to Deadline Hollywood calculations (Wikipedia). A 40th anniversary re-release in May 2026 added another $8.3 million internationally across 44 markets (Box Office Mojo).

The upshot

Maverick achieved something rare: a sequel that didn’t just succeed—it redefined expectations for a franchise built on practical action and old-school star power.

The implication: Maverick’s financial performance signals strong audience appetite for practical filmmaking over CGI-dependent blockbusters.

Critical Reception

The critical response matched the commercial success. Review aggregator sites showed strong approval, with audiences praising the practical flying sequences and the emotional weight of seeing Cruise return to the role after 36 years. Rotten Tomatoes, a trusted review aggregator, documented the film’s reception across both critics and audience scores.

Why this matters

Unlike many blockbusters that succeed despite mixed reviews, Maverick achieved its numbers on the strength of genuine audience enthusiasm—a factor that typically predicts franchise longevity.

Will Top Gun 3 release?

Development Confirmation

Top Gun 3 is officially in development. The sequel was confirmed as being in active development, with Paramount greenlighting the project following Maverick’s exceptional performance (Wikipedia). Development officially picked up in early 2024, with producer Jerry Bruckheimer stating the script is almost ready and co-written by Christopher McQuarrie and Eric Singer (YouTube (Bruckheimer Update)). Bruckheimer noted that Top Gun 3 is in a race with Pirates of the Caribbean 6, with Top Gun 3 currently slightly ahead in development.

The paradox

Hollywood rarely bets on threequels—but Maverick’s numbers changed the calculus entirely, pushing Paramount to commit before the script is even finalized.

Expected Timeline

The earliest realistic release window for Top Gun 3 is 2028, though industry observers suggest 2029 is more likely given scheduling considerations (YouTube (Bruckheimer Update)). Director Joseph Kosinski is expected to return but has not been officially confirmed, with potential scheduling conflicts noted. If Kosinski is unavailable, another director may be considered to keep production moving (YouTube (Bruckheimer Update)).

What this means: The extended timeline reflects the practical realities of mounting a large-scale aerial production while accommodating Tom Cruise’s schedule.

Why was Meg Ryan not in Top Gun 2?

Creative Decisions

The original Top Gun (1986) featured Meg Ryan’s character Carole “Charlie” Bradshaw, who served as the love interest for Tom Cruise’s Maverick. For the sequel, the creative team chose not to bring her back. The decision appears to have been narrative-driven: Maverick’s story in the sequel focuses on his relationship with his late best friend’s son Rooster, not on a romantic subplot. The emotional core of Maverick centers on mentorship, legacy, and redemption rather than romance.

What to watch

Speculation about the actress’s personal circumstances—such as reports about her health or mobility—is not relevant to the creative rationale. The filmmakers simply chose a different story focus.

The catch: Casting choices in sequels often prioritize story over nostalgia, which can disappoint fans expecting original cast returns.

Cast Changes

The sequel introduced new cast members including Miles Teller as Rooster (the son of Goose), Glen Powell as Hangman, Monica Barbaro as Phoenix, and others. Val Kilmer returned as Iceman in a limited capacity. The ensemble shifted toward action-focused characters rather than the romantic dynamics of the original.

Did Val Kilmer get paid for Top Gun 2?

Role and Compensation Rumors

Val Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, though his screen time was significantly limited compared to the original. Industry sources have reported varying figures about his compensation, with estimates ranging considerably based on the brevity of his involvement. The role served primarily as an emotional callback for longtime fans rather than a major plot contribution.

Appearance Details

Kilmer’s scenes were filmed over a short period, reportedly just a few days of work. His limited involvement was widely noted upon the film’s release, with fans observing that his character appeared in a hospital setting interacting with Maverick. The brevity of the appearance fueled speculation about the circumstances of his return.

The catch

Legacy cast returns in sequels often come with complex negotiations—but Kilmer’s brief appearance suggests the filmmakers prioritized fan service over substantive storytelling for that character.

The pattern: Legacy character appearances tend to be brief ceremonial gestures rather than plot-driving roles, especially when the original actor’s availability or health is a factor.

Who will be cast in Top Gun 3 with Tom Cruise?

Confirmed Returns

Tom Cruise is confirmed to return as Maverick in Top Gun 3 (YouTube (Bruckheimer Update), Wikipedia). This is the only confirmed cast member as of now. Variety, an entertainment industry outlet, has reported on the confirmed return of Cruise for the sequel.

Potential New Faces

Beyond Cruise, no other casting has been officially confirmed. Maverick’s ensemble included Miles Teller (Rooster), Glen Powell (Hangman), Monica Barbaro (Phoenix), Ed Harris (Cyclone), and others, but their potential involvement in the sequel remains unverified. The development is still in early stages with the script described as “almost ready,” leaving significant time for casting decisions.

Confirmed

  • Top Gun 3 in development
  • Tom Cruise returning for Top Gun 3
  • Script co-written by McQuarrie and Singer

Unclear

  • Top Gun 3 cast beyond Cruise
  • Whether Tom Cruise flies actual aircraft in Top Gun 3
  • Exact director confirmation
  • Release date specifics

“Top Gun 3 is basically in a race with Pirates of the Caribbean 6. Both projects are moving forward, but Top Gun 3 is slightly ahead right now.”

— Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer (YouTube (Bruckheimer Update))

“The script is almost ready.”

— Jerry Bruckheimer, Producer (YouTube (Bruckheimer Update))

The path forward is clear for fans invested in this franchise: Maverick earned its legacy, and Paramount is betting that lightning strikes twice. Whether it does depends on one thing—delivering the same combination of spectacle, heart, and star power that made the sequel a phenomenon.

Related reading: Chris Hemsworth Movies List · Home Sweet Home Alone Plot and Cast

Additional sources

boxofficemojo.com, youtube.com

Maverick shattered box office records thanks to its dynamic full cast of returning stars that blended Tom Cruise’s Maverick with fresh pilots eyeing Top Gun 3.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Top Gun 2?

Top Gun: Maverick is available for streaming on Netflix. It was also released on digital platforms and physical media (DVD and Blu-ray).

What is Top Gun 2 about?

Top Gun: Maverick follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell as he trains a new generation of Top Gun graduates for a specialized, dangerous mission. The film explores his relationship with Rooster, the son of his deceased best friend Goose.

Is Top Gun Maverick on Netflix?

Yes, Top Gun: Maverick is available on Netflix for streaming in regions where the platform holds distribution rights.

Who directed Top Gun 2?

Joseph Kosinski directed Top Gun: Maverick. He previously worked with Tom Cruise on Only the Brave (2017).

What is the Top Gun 2 trailer like?

The trailer for Top Gun: Maverick emphasized practical flying sequences filmed in real military aircraft, distinguishing it from typical CGI-heavy blockbusters.

Does Top Gun 2 have Val Kilmer?

Yes, Val Kilmer returned as Iceman in Top Gun: Maverick, though his role was limited to brief scenes.

Is there a Top Gun 1 on streaming?

The original Top Gun (1986) is available on various streaming and digital platforms depending on regional licensing agreements.