Following the massive global success of Top Gun: Maverick, speculation about a third installment in the iconic aviation franchise has gained serious altitude. While Paramount Pictures has yet to confirm anything, industry insiders and fan circles are abuzz with rumors that Top Gun 3 may already be in early development — with Tom Cruise potentially returning once again as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.
Reports from entertainment forums and movie blogs have suggested that the studio has been exploring story concepts since Maverick crossed the $1.4 billion mark at the global box office. Sources close to the production (allegedly) say Cruise has shown interest in a story that would take Maverick beyond the flight deck — possibly into a mentorship or command role at a global level, with new recruits and geopolitical tensions playing a major role.
Leaked concept art and anonymous production notes have hinted at a darker, more grounded tone, with the title Top Gun: Final Sortie floated in several online threads. A rumored storyline includes Maverick being pulled into a covert mission that involves NATO airspace, drone warfare, and the ethics of human versus AI pilots — themes that mirror current global military developments.
