Top Gun was one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s, so when the long-awaited sequel made huge waves in 2022, it guaranteed a Top Gun 3, but the next sequel will be different in one significant way. Tom Cruise was a rapidly rising star in Hollywood when Top Gun came out in 1986. Having recently starred in the hit film, Risky Business, and proving his value as a leading man, Cruise proved he was versatile as an action hero in Top Gun when he became the courageous air force pilot, Maverick.

While the story remained closed after that initial movie for decades, Hollywood opted to revisit the character in 2022, with Maverick returning to lead a new generation of young pilots. Top Gun: Maverick brought back incredible nostalgia and excitement for movie fans everywhere, as Cruise put his well refined action hero status to the test and came out on top. And this perfect storm resulted in a movie that shattered box office expectations when it earned just shy of $1.5 billion at the box office (via Box Office Mojo).

Top Gun 3 Can’t Possibly Replicate The 36-Year Window Between Movies

This Time Ended Up Being Essential To The Sequel

The huge success of Top Gun: Maverick meant studios leaped at the chance to capitalize on the franchise and make a third film. However, as exciting as continuing the story may be, there will be a crucial difference between Top Gun: Maverick and Top Gun 3. The significant passage of time that happens between the first and second films made for a lot of compelling developments that could be explored in the long-awaited sequel, including introducing a new generation of pilots.

While Goose from the original Top Gun passed away in that film, the sequel introduced his son, as a way to build on the emotion and intensity of the original story despite such a significant gap. This extended break between films ended up becoming a major strength as it allowed the story to continue in a very different time, with the original cast reprising their roles as more seasoned veterans with a history. The time between may have been interesting, but the choice to look forward instead of back helped to create the thrilling and action-packed story.

Why Top Gun 3 Doesn’t Need To Take A Lot Of Time To Happen

The Next Chapter Shouldn’t Be About Maverick

It would be unreasonable to wait nearly another four decades for the next entry, and fortunately, that is not usually the pace that Hollywood works at. Top Gun 3 should continue the theme of standing on the shoulders of the previous films, while still moving steadily ahead toward new adventures. While it’s essential to include Cruise as the figurehead of the series and ensure that Maverick is not tossed aside, the sequel should also make a real effort to continue allowing the younger generation to shine and step up.

Maverick won’t be around forever, and with the films’ themes of legacy, it’s important for characters like Rooster and his friends to step up in the sequel. Waiting for an extended period of time would only mean that Cruise’s character becomes too elderly to participate in a meaningful way, and the franchise is left with young guns who only ever appeared in a supporting role. As a result, it would be best to take the franchise forward, without the huge gap between movies.

Top Gun: Maverick’s Astonishing Success Made A Third Movie All But Inevitable

The Studio Couldn’t Resist Making A Top Gun 3

In the history of cinema, there have only been 55 billion dollar movies ever made (via Deadline). And of this figure, only two were released before the year 2000. Billion-dollar movies are big business, and studios do everything they can to ensure these franchises thrive, building universes, spin-offs and anything else to build on the success. So, when Top Gun: Maverick joined this exclusive club, it was guaranteed that a sequel would be in the works, and sure enough, Top Gun 3 was confirmed early in 2024.

Now, the studios just need to get all the pieces in place, from the story, to the cast and crew, in order to ensure the next entry builds on the story, rather than dismantling it. If it can ensure that Top Gun 3 is a quality next chapter, and live up to the success of the original movies, Top Gun 3 has every chance of being a success, although there is no guarantee it will be able to pull in the $1.5 billion that Maverick managed to make.