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Source: Paramount
Movie "Top Gun 3"« has been spinning on the runway for quite some time now, which is both exciting and a little painful. After «"Top Gun: Maverick"» became one of those rare sequels that truly lived up to decades of expectations, with fans waiting to see if Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, and the rest of the cast could truly return to the Danger Zone. Fortunately, one of the stars «Top Gun» just shared some exciting news about the third installment, and the movie has never felt more real.
During a red carpet interview with Entertainment Tonight about his new show Not Suitable for Work (which became available to all Hulu or Disney+ subscribers on June 2), Jay Ellis gave fans some promising news. The actor who played Payback in the film «"Top Gun: Maverick"» , asked about a possible return to «Top Gun 3. And His answer made the sequel feel less like a pipe dream and more like something truly taking shape. Ellis said the project is moving forward, even if no one is trying to rush it:
I would say we're taking the first steps. There's a script, I think they've already announced it. Paramount is very excited about it, Tom is very excited, Bruckheimer is very excited. This whole team, working with people like Tom, Jerry, McQuarrie, and Joe Kosinski—it's just an incredible creative force. They've seen so much, they've done so much. And I think the real question is, "How do we top this movie compared to the last one?" And I think that's why Tom took such a long break between making the original Top Gun and Maverick—he wanted to make sure we were evolving cinema, and we hope to do the same with this next movie when they're ready.
This is the kind of news that sets my little cinephile radar off. The script exists. Paramount is thrilled. Cruise is thrilled. Bruckheimer is thrilled. That's not the same thing as a release date. «Top Gun 3» , so don't expect it to appear on the 2026 film calendar, but it sounds a lot more compelling than just sketches of fighter jets in the margins of a notebook.
Part of the film's success «"Top Gun: Maverick"» is explained by the new pilot cast. The sequel's all-star cast includes rising stars such as Oscar-nominated Monica Barbaro, film "Twisters"« Glen Powell, Jay Ellis, and many others, and the actors have previously spoken about how intense the experience was. Considering what the actors in "Top Gun: Maverick" had to do for the flying scenes, it's no surprise the group remained tight-knit.
Source: Paramount/Skydance
Film graduate «Running Moment» She also shared some fond memories from the set, including a story about Tom Cruise getting on a FaceTime video call with his father during filming. His father, who served in the Air Force, was apparently shocked to find himself suddenly talking to the film's star. «Risky Business» . Honestly, me too. If Cruz had joined my FaceTime video call, I'd probably just be staring at the camera.
According to Ellis, filming the movie «Maverick» The experience was different for him, having grown up in a military family. The sights and sounds of Naval Air Station North Island reminded him of his childhood with his military father, which is another aspect that explains why returning to film the third movie feels so meaningful.
Ellis also made it clear that the creators «Top Gun 3» understand the task at hand. He praised the creative team working on the franchise, because, let's be honest, it's a truly strong group. It's no coincidence that Cruise, Bruckheimer, Christopher McQuarrie, and Joseph Kosinski Maverick so grandiose. The film succeeded because it respected spectacle, danger, and emotion.
It seems everyone involved has good intentions. Cruise doesn't seem interested in making another sequel just because the previous one was so profitable. He needs a reason to get going again, and given Jon Hamm's tumultuous first day meeting Tom Cruise on set, «Maverick» , and the story of Cruz, who surprised fans at shows «Mission Impossible» , it's clear he still cares about the audience's experience.
So, yes, so far, it's all about baby steps. There's a script, the lead actors are enthusiastic, and the man behind "Payback" seems ready to rejoin the team. «Top Gun» . After «Maverick» The "good enough" principle no longer works. Fortunately, none of the participants seem interested in the "good enough" principle.
In the meantime, fans can always rewatch the original film. «Top Gun» and its box office hit sequel «"Top Gun: Maverick"» , both of which are available to watch with a Paramount+ subscription.