Top Gun 2is one of those long-in-development projects that pops up in the news cycle with predictable regularity. And it’s easy to see why – it’s a well-known IP with one of the few remaining true “Movie Stars” of the modern era. And yet,Tom Cruiseand Co. have had some difficulty cracking the code to make the sequel work. But if a recent meeting between Cruise and producerJerry Bruckheimeris any indication, the project may be back on track.
Cruise wasoriginally working on itwithTop GundirectorTony Scottand his regular collaboratorChristopher McQuarrie(Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation), beforePeter Craig(The Town) was brought on to draft a script, but the projectall but fell apart after Scott’s deathin 2012.
Of course, in the current entertainment landscape, which is awash in reboots, sequels, prequels, and every conceivable reincarnation of beloved properties, the opportunity tot turn a beloved film into a franchise isn’t just going to fade into obscurity. Indeed, in 2014,The Jungle BookscribeJustin Markswasbrought on to pen the script, which would find Maverick confronting theend of the fighter pilot erain the face of drone warfare. Most recently, Val Kilmer threw his hat in the sequel rumor ring with a Facebook post saying heaccepted a part inTop Gun 2without seeing a script. Naturally, many were dubious, but Bruckheimer took to his Twitter last night and posted some photographic evidence that he and Cruise are, at the very least, still discussing the film.
All told, it’s a move that makes sense. Like I said above, there’s huge franchiseability potential in Top Gun, especially with a star like Tom Cruise as the returning headliner. And Cruise is as Savvy a businessman, who has a known preference for returning to work with the collaborators he favors. However, it could be more a question of when than if given Cruise’s non-stop schedule.
Last year, Cruise wrapped on his drug-smuggling thrillerMenabefore heading directly into production onJack Reacher: Never Go Back. He’ll be in production on Mission Impossible 6 by this summer, and as was recently announced, he’s also set to headline Universal’s The Mummy reboot in a role that is rumored to crossover with their other Monsterverse films. Which means, if Top Gun 2 is going to happen, it’s not going to happen for a while.
What do you guys think? Do you wantTop Gun 2to happen? Are you hungry to see the young gun all grown up? Is Tom Cruise actually the Energizer Bunny? Sound off in the comments below.
