Top Gun is not only one of the most popular movies of all time, but when its sequel was released, it broke box office records and earned a place among the most successful worldwide in history. Tom Cruise always led the storyline, and now everyone is wondering if the actor will return for the third installment.
Indeed, a new film is in development, but not much is known yet. However, the question of whether the actor will return as Maverick is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the project, as well as whether Glen Powell and Miles Teller will reprise their roles as Hangman and Rooster.
The fact that another title is in the works, which would be released on Paramount+, has taken many by surprise, especially because the 61-year-old star has just signed a deal to develop films at Warner. His schedule would be full until further notice, but everything indicates that he will take the time to film his grand return.
Tom Cruise could return as Maverick in Top Gun 3
Although Top Gun: Maverick had a great ending, leaving the possibility for new characters to embark on their own adventures, the film wouldn’t be the same without Tom Cruise as the protagonist. So far, the actor has not spoken about the new installment, which is still in development.
Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick. (Source: IMDb)
According to Puck, the sequel’s screenwriter Ehren Kruger is penning the script for the upcoming movie, which would again feature Cruise as the lead, accompanied by Miles Teller and Glenn Powell. If all goes as planned, the stars should once again be directed by Joseph Kosinski.
The decision is not a surprise, especially after it became Tom’s highest-grossing film, earning $1.49 billion worldwide and securing six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. However, despite all this success, the actor already has a packed schedule.
This means that Top Gun 3 won’t hit the big screen for a few years, as he first needs to finish filming Mission: Impossible 8 and then move on to the movie directed by Doug Liman that will take him into space for real. He will travel to the International Space Station aboard the Crew Dragon capsule, which is part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX space project.
How much money did Tom Cruise make for Top Gun: Maverick?
Tom Cruise is not only one of the wealthiest celebrities in the industry but also one of the few who perform their own action stunts without the need for a stunt double. This has added another layer to his value as an actor, especially considering his hidden talents, such as flying an airplane. Yes, the star actually piloted in Top Gun: Maverick.
As expected, he was one of the highest-paid actors in the Top Gun sequel. According to Screen Rant, he earned a considerably substantial salary for his performance, compared to the first installment. This time, he took home almost $100 million approximately for bringing Maverick to life in 2022.
Although he had originally agreed to a somewhat more modest salary of $12.5 million upfront to negotiate a deal, the actor managed to double that amount due to the profits generated by the film. According to Forbes, “Cruise gets north of 10% of the first gross dollar, which is based on the money Paramount, the distributor of Maverick, receives after theaters take their cut, typically around 50%”.
