I’m prepared for Top Gun 3 to “Take My Breath Away”. Are you?

According to sources close to the Top Gun franchise, a script for a 3rd installment in the Top Gun saga is in the works.

Here’s what we know, and don’t know.

There’s no signed deal yet, but judging by the $1.496 Billion with a capital B that “Top Gun: Maverick” made worldwide I’m guessing they’ll be able to get all of the actors, directors, and producers on board with making a new movie.

When it comes to making movies Tom Cruise isn’t just standing there saying “Show me the money!”. He’s screaming from the top of his lungs Cash Rules Everything Around Me (C.R.E.A.M.) Thanks for indulging me for the Wu-tang Clan reference.

“Top Gun: Maverick” was produced by Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski who also directed the movie. Any new movie would most likely be a sequel, so that means we can expect to also see both Miles Teller and Glen Powell reprising their roles. No word yet on fan favorites Natasha Trace who played “Phoenix”, or Robert Floyd who played “Bob”, but I sure hope they bring them both back too. 

The first draft of the script is being developed by writer Ehren Kruger, who co-wrote “Top Gun: Maverick,” so you know we’re in good hands.

What we don’t know is when we could expect to see a Top Gun 3 in theaters. “Top Gun: Maverick” took 8 years to develop, and 2 years to make it.

So do we have to wait another decade to get a new Top Gun?

Probably not.

Studios like to hit while the irons are still hot, and based on “Top Gun: Maverick” phenomenal success at the box office getting a Top Gun 3 greelit will be easy. If they’re already working on a script, and I can’t imagine any actors saying no to reprising their roles, then I’m going to guess it’ll take 1-2 years of development, then 2 years to make the movie, which should bring us out to a launch date of July 2026 at the earliest. 

I leave you with one of my favorite lines from “Top Gun: Maverick”: 

Hondo: “I don’t like that look Mav.”

Maverik: “It’s the only one I got.” 

‘Top Gun 3’ in early development with Tom Cruise at Paramount