It’s been 32 years, but fans are finally getting their sequel to Top Gun.
Top Gun: Maverick began filming at the end of May and is due to be released in July 2019.
The film is bringing Tom Cruise back in one of his most iconic roles — Maverick — and reuniting him with the original’s producer, Jerry Bruckheimer. Joining them from the original is Val Kilmer, who is reprising the role of Iceman.
Tom, of course, hasn’t been idle since 1986, having starred in 34 movies, the latest of which, Mission Impossible: Fallout, is a huge action hit and the sixth installment in the MI series. It also included his most dangerous stunt to date – a downward spiral in a helicopter on location in New Zealand.
Tom’s schedule, according to Jerry, is part of the reason why it’s taken so long for Top Gun: Maverick to finally get into production. “Fortunately for Tom, he’s very busy,” Bruckheimer told The Huffington Post, “so you have to find a slot he can fit into and get a budget that Paramount feels they can make the picture.” Needless to say, Paramount found that all the parts fit.
Details around the plot are scarce, but Bruckheimer has released a few details, saying “the concept is, basically, are the pilots obsolete because of drones? Cruise is going to show them that they’re not obsolete. They’re here to stay.”
Here’s everything we know so far about Top Gun: Maverick.
Tom Cruise Top Gun
Tom Cruise is Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell
Tom reprises his iconic role, but a few things have changed. Maverick has gone from a newbie with a “need for speed” to a flight instructor. Tom says “”There’s gonna be jets. Aviators are back, the need for speed. We’re going to have big, fast machines. It’s going to be a competition film, like the first one … but a progression for Maverick.”
It seems that he’s retained his passion for bikes – Tom was spotted on set riding a motorcycle.
Val Kilmer Top Gun
Val Kilmer is Commander Tom “Iceman” Kazansky
The only other returning face from the original film is Val Kilmer, whose character, “Iceman,” was the “frenemy” was even more arrogant than Maverick himself.
Kilmer even hinted that we might see a recreation of the famous volleyball scene, telling fans on Facebook “I can’t comment on the screenplay, but we all know what we want to see!”
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer Connelly
Jennifer is reportedly playing Amy McParz, a single mother who runs a bar near the Navy base. With rumours that Maverick will have a love interest in the movie, we’ve got our fingers crossed it’s Jennifer. Tom is glowing in his praise of Jennifer, telling Entertainment Tonight “When you see the film, you’ll see why she’s perfect for it. She has such a very talented, very vibrant, and… we’re just going to have a great cast. (It’s) gonna be a lot of fun.”
Jon Hamm Top Gun
Jon Hamm
Don Draper himself, Mad Men star Jon Hamm, has just been announced as joining the cast. The announcement is so fresh, we don’t have any more details, but stay tuned. The 47-year-old actor is bound to bring the right amount of swag to set.
Ed Harris Top Gun
Ed Harris
Another recent casting announcement involves Westworld actor Ed Harris but much like Jon Hamm’s character, no further information has been released.
Glen Powell Top Gun
Glen Powell
Netflix’s Set It Up star Glen Powell very publicly lost out to Miles Teller for the role of Goose’s sun, but producers were reportedly so impressed with him they found another role to cast him. No word yet on what exactly that is, but as Powell posted a picture to social media of him in aviator sunglasses and a bomber jacket, it’s pretty safe to say he’s going to be a pilot.
Thomasin McKenzie Top Gun
Thomasin McKenzie
Up-and-coming Kiwi actress Thomasin McKenzie, daughter of veteran actress Miranda Harcourt, has reportedly been cast as the daughter of Jennifer Connelly’s character. McKenzie’s star is on the rise. She has also been cast in Taika Waititi’s World War II satire JoJo Rabbit.
