Paramount Pictures
Glen Powell has confirmed that another "Top Gun" sequel is on its way after the unexpected billion-dollar success of "Top Gun: Maverick."
"Top Gun: Maverick," which was first announced in 2010 but did not premiere until 2022, was a big gamble for Paramount Pictures, the movie's star, Tom Cruise, and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
The first 1986 "Top Gun" movie was a commercial success, won an Oscar, and became embedded in American pop culture, but it took multiple decades for its sequel to be released. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed production for a further three years.
But the gamble paid off. "Maverick" made $1.495 billion at the box office, beating every superhero movie, "Jurassic World: Dominion" and "Minions: The Rise of Gru" to become the second-highest-grossing movie of 2022.
"Maverick" also won an Oscar, became a culture icon, and boosted the fame of rising stars Glen Powell and Miles Teller.
Since 2022, there have been talks of another "Top Gun" movie, including reports of a spinoff focusing on Teller's Rooster character.
During a live taping of the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, published on Monday, Powell said he had "a date" for the sequel.
Powell didn't specify whether this was a release date for the film or a date to start production, and he refused to give any other details.
However, this is the closest fans have got to a confirmation that "Top Gun 3" is coming.
Representatives for Powell, Cruise, and Paramount Pictures did not immediately respond to a comment request from Business Insider.
Considering the success of "Top Gun: Maverick," another sequel could be a big win for Paramount, Cruise, and all the stars involved. Here's what has been reported so far.
Paramount
Around the time "Maverick" was released, Teller was very vocal about another Top Gun sequel.
Teller joined the franchise in "Maverick" as naval pilot Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw, the son of Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), who died in the first "Top Gun" movie.
Cruise's character, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, blames himself for the death of Goose, meaning there is tension between Maverick and Rooster in the sequel. But the pair make up by the end of the film.
In May 2022, Teller told ScreenRant that he was pitching a spinoff based on Rooster, though it's unclear if that will happen.
"Obviously, everybody was begging Tom to do a sequel right after the first one came out," Teller said. "I think this movie puts a nice bow on it; it really kind of wraps it up, but we'll see. I'm available."
Teller also told Entertainment Tonight in July that he has talked to Cruise about making another sequel but didn't say if Cruise supported the idea.
Paramount Pictures
Puck, Deadline, and Variety reported in January that "Top Gun 3" was in the works.
The three publications, citing unnamed sources, said Paramount has enlisted "Maverick" co-writer Ehren Kruger to start work on the next sequel. Variety reported that Kruger had begun writing the script last year, and Cruise and Paramount needed to sign off on the final draft.
Cruise, Powell, and Teller were also reportedly expected to reprise their roles in the movie.
Deadline and Puck also reported that "Maverick" producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison will return for the sequel. "Maverick" Director Joseph Kosinski will either direct or produce the new film.
Judging by Powell's recent comments, he will likely return for the sequel. The only question left is whether Cruise and Teller will join him.
