--- title: "It’s official: ‘Top Gun 3’ is in development" description: "After the phenomenal success of \"Top Gun: Maverick,\" Tom Cruise will return in \"Top Gun 3.\"" date: "2026-04-17" modified: "2026-04-17" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/its-official-top-gun-3-is-in-development/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Movies and TV" tags: - "Entertainment" - "Movies" --- # It’s official: ‘Top Gun 3’ is in development !['Top Gun: Maverick']() *Tom Cruise in 'Top Gun: Maverick.' (Paramount Pictures)* Rumors swirled for two years. This week at CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Paramount Pictures finally made a formal announcement. “‘Top Gun 3’is officially in development with a script well underway, reuniting Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer,” said Josh Greenstein, co-chair of the studio. **Related:** [**Here’s what’s going on with the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ lawsuit saga**]() While a director has yet to sign on, Bruckheimer confirmed that the creative team [“pitched Tom a story he liked.”]() “Top Gun: Maverick” co-writer Ehren Kruger was hired to write a script, and the owner of Paramount, David Ellison, has cited “Top Gun 3” as a top priority for the company. Ellison produced the wildly successful “Maverick” [via his company Skydance](), which merged with Paramount in 2025. “Top Gun: Maverick”debuted in 2022 and went on to become Cruise’s highest-grossing film to date, grossing approximately $1.496 billion worldwide and reaping in the admiration of fans and critics alike. Joseph Kosinski directed "Maverick." Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, and Christopher McQuarrie wrote it from a story by Peter Craig and Justin Marks. It starred Cruise, reprising the role of Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, and featured an ensemble cast that included Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Glen Powell, and, in his final film role, Val Kilmer, who returned as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky. ### A Sequel to “Days of Thunder” https://youtu.be/oPXL4_eZ4-M Cruise is also attached to a follow-up to the 1990 NASCAR hit, “Days of Thunder,” for Paramount. Cruise has spoken candidly about the follow-up for “Maverick,”reflecting his enthusiasm for the project but also his determination to do it right (amid his very busy schedule). Here’s what he told the Australian show [*Today*]()*:* “Yeah, we’re thinking and talking about many different stories and what could we do and what’s possible. It took me 35 years to figure out ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ so all of these things we’re working on. We’re discussing "Days of Thunder" and "Top Gun: Maverick"; there’s numerous other films that we’re actively working on right now. I’m always shooting a film, prepping a film, posting a film. I just finished a film with Alejandro Iñárritu, who did ‘The Revenant.’ That was an extraordinary experience, and [Christopher McQuarrie] and I are always working on several different films.” Cruise is well-known for his commitment to practical stunts. The filming of “Top Gun: Maverick” [was no exception](). Whatever the filmmakers come up with for “Top Gun 3,” it’s sure to be exciting. https://youtu.be/KMbBh2CxUOw ### Don’t Miss the Best of We Are The Mighty ##### **• [The real-life TOPGUN advisors made cameos in ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Top Gun: Maverick’]()** ##### **• [How friendly fire could have killed Scotty from ‘Star Trek’ on D-Day]()** ##### **• [You could be the next owner of Darth Vader’s revolver]()** ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()