Tom Cruise’s latest picture, Top Gun: Maverick, has just become his highest-grossing domestic film. After two years of pandemic restrictions and hesitant audiences, the sequel is a bonafide smash and an indication that the movies are returning. That’s a positive development. Despite his age (60 in July) and penchant for slow-roll his flicks, we should expect more from Cruise. There’s nothing quite like a sure thing, and Top Gun 3 is exactly that. So, what are the chances of a third installment in the series?
No Official Plans
There are no official plans for Top Gun 3 at this time, but that could change soon. Back in the 1990s, Cruise pledged not to create any more Top Gun sequels as some critics viewed the first film as a glorified Navy advertisement. Making a sequel would be “irresponsible,” according to Cruise. For the veteran actor, things had clearly changed.
Few predicted that Top Gun: Maverick would be a box office smash, but here we are. The sequel is presently ranked fourth among the highest-grossing films of 2022. After two weekends in theaters, it’s still soaring. The franchise has already been renewed for a third installment. The prospects must make Paramount excited.
Tom Cruise’s Decision
There’s definitely room for more missions in terms of story. At the conclusion of the sequel, Maverick (Cruise) closes things up with his new students and Penny (Jennifer Connelly). However, a different story may readily be told. Cruise is still filming Mission: Impossible movies and shows no signs of slowing down. Why not a sequel to Top Gun? It is entirely up to him.
Meanwhile, the new cast, which includes Miles Teller’s Rooster, Monica Barbaro’s Phoenix, Glen Powell’s Hangman, Jay Ellis’ Payback, and Danny Ramirez’s Fanboy, will have to wait. But we don’t think their abilities will be wasted. Even if Cruise hangs up his Maverick leather jacket, a new generation of heroes is poised to take his place.