Top Gun 3 Confirmed: Director Hints at Epic, Unexpected New Chapter

Top Gun 3 is officially in the works, with director Joseph Kosinski returning to helm the next chapter of the high-flying franchise. Following the massive success of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, which saw Tom Cruise reprise his role as Maverick to train a new generation of pilots, excitement is building for what comes next.

Kosinski shared updates on the project while promoting his upcoming film F1: The Movie in an interview with ScreenRant.

The script, penned by Ehren Kruger, who also wrote Maverick, is still being crafted. Kosinski revealed that the story stems from a grand, innovative concept developed over nearly a year with input from the Navy and Lockheed.

“Ehren Kruger is writing the script as we speak. It’s a big idea that I spent almost a year developing — working with some friends at the Navy and Lockheed. And yeah, Ehren’s into it now, so we’ll see how it comes along,” he said. He emphasized that the idea is so compelling it couldn’t be ignored. “It was about coming up with an idea that — again — felt like a new challenge. Something that opens up the story in a way you just can’t let go. And I think the idea is so ambitious. That’s what’s exciting to me,” Kosinski added.

Top Gun: Maverick earned widespread praise, including from major directors. Quentin Tarantino called it “fantastic,” noting its tribute to Tony Scott, the original Top Gun director, and its cinematic magic.

Steven Spielberg credited it with revitalizing movie theaters during a tough period. Ridley Scott, Tony’s brother, saw an early cut and commended Cruise for honoring his brother, though director Fede Álvarez later shared that Ridley found it “meh” compared to the 1986 original. The film was dedicated to Tony Scott’s memory.

Miles Teller, who played Rooster in Maverick, has been vocal about a sequel, pitching a story focused on his character, tentatively titled Top Gun: Rooster, to Paramount in May 2022. By July, he confirmed ongoing talks with Cruise about the next film.

While no release date or plot details have been announced, Cruise is expected to return as Maverick.

Kosinski’s tease of a bold, ambitious Top Gun 3 has me intrigued, especially with the Navy and Lockheed’s involvement promising authenticity. Maverick set a high bar, blending nostalgia with fresh energy, so I hope the new story avoids rehashing old ground. The praise from filmmakers like Tarantino and Spielberg shows the franchise’s impact, but I’m curious if it can keep evolving. What do you think about Top Gun 3 and its big new idea? Share your thoughts in the comments below!