Is ‘Top Gun 3′ actually happening?

Tom Cruise will return for a third “Top Gun” movie. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is also coming back. This news was announced at Paramount’s CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas on Thursday. > New films from existing franchises Star Trek, Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Top Gun are all in development at @ParamountPics! #CinemaCon #CinemaCon2026 > > — CinemaCon (@CinemaCon) April 16, 2026 Fans can also likely expect Miles Teller’s “Rooster” and Glen Powell’s “Hangman” to return to the cockpit when the franchise makes its next big-screen appearance. The third installment in the franchise has been in the works for several years now, but Thursday’s CinemaCon announcement confirmed that scripting is officially in progress. In 2022, 36 years after the 1986 original, Cruise returned for “Top Gun: Maverick.” ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ review: How does it compare to the original? Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the sequel arrived as the definitive post-pandemic blockbuster, delivering the high-octane spectacle audiences had been craving. Grossing $1.5 billion on a $170 million budget, it became the highest-grossing film of Cruise’s career — an incredible milestone considering the global dominance of the “Mission: Impossible” films. The film’s success all but guaranteed a sequel; however, while Paramount confirms development is underway, a director and release date have yet to be announced.