Paramount Pictures has set a date for a return to the Danger Zone, announcing that the long awaited sequel Top Gun 2 will hit theaters on July 12, 2019.
Tom Cruise, of course, will be returning to his iconic role of fighter pilot Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, only this time he will be a flight instructor teaching the next generation of hot shot pilots. Joining Cruise for the film will be Joseph Kosinski, who had previously worked the actor on the 2013 science-fiction film Oblivion.
The original Top Gun a huge hit when released in 1986, grossing $356 million against a budget of only $15 million. The film also catapulted Cruise to his next level of stardom.
A Top Gun sequel is something that Cruise has been trying to get off the ground (pun slightly intended) for several years now. It almost came together in 2012 only to be derailed when original Top Gun director Tony Scott committed suicide. This current incarnation of the project features a screenplay by by Peter Craig and Justin Marks, with Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz also contributing drafts.
Personally, I was never a big fan of the original movie, though I recognize that I am in the minority on that. Still, the idea of checking in on Maverick to see where his career has lead him and how he copes with being a teacher instead of being up in the air sounds like good dramatic fodder.
There is no word if any other cast members from the original film will be returning alongside Cruise.
Via Deadline.
