Top Gun, is one of the most successful movies ever made, but when Top Gun 3 happens there will be one major difference - with or without Tom Cruise. Top Gun: Maverick introduced all kinds of new characters to the franchise, including Goose's son Rooster, Hangman, Phoenix, Bob, and more. While many of these characters have already become household names, their introduction means that Top Gun 3 has to be a different type of sequel than Top Gun: Maverick.
Set more than 30 years after the events of the original Top Gun, Top Gun: Maverick sees Captain Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) return to the TOPGUN program in order to lead a team of recent TOPGUN graduates on an incredibly dangerous mission. While training these young guns, Maverick reinvigorates his ion for dogfighting, finds love in Penny Benjamin, and learns to forgive himself for the death of his friend Goose. Introducing a mostly new cast of characters, Top Gun: Maverick has brought back the franchise for a new generation.
Unlike most legacy sequels, such as Top Gun characters didn't return for Maverick, whether it be because the actors aged out of the role, weren't interested, or simply weren't important enough to bring back. Now that Maverick has introduced a new cast, though, Top Gun 3 will undoubtedly have to focus on the new characters rather than replacing everyone a second time. Even if Tom Cruise didn't want to do a third film, Top Gun 3 could easily focus on Rooster, Hangman, or any of the other new characters, as there is plenty left to explore with Maverick's new aviators.
Will Top Gun 3 Actually Happen?
While Top Gun 3 will have to be a very different type of sequel, many are wondering if the film will even happen. The gap between 1986's Top Gun and 2022's Top Gun: Maverick was massive, so if it were to happen, it might not be for a while. A Tom Cruise update has already confirmed that the actor has his next four films lined up, meaning that if Top Gun 3 were to happen, it could be low on Cruise's priority list.
Although Top Gun 3 isn't confirmed, Top Gun: Maverick is now the fifth highest-grossing movie of all time in North America, meaning that Paramount is probably eager to get another film released. For enough money, Tom Cruise would surely make Top Gun 3 a priority, and even if he doesn't, there are plenty of other characters that could carry on the franchise. If it even happens, Top Gun 3 will most likely be a more traditional sequel than its predecessor, directly continuing the events of Top Gun: Maverick and building on the movie's established cast of characters.
