Top Gun 3: Update on the new Tom Cruise Movie

After "Mission: Impossible 8" comes "Top Gun 3": while Tom Cruise is currently starring in what may be the final installment of the spy franchise, a new "Top Gun" movie is also on the horizon. Screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie recently offered an update on the sequel during the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

The most important message: the basic framework for "Top Gun 3" is set. The story is already in the bag. He and his co-writer Ehren Kruger were relatively quick to agree on what the plot should look like. According to McQuarrie, it wasn't particularly difficult. In his creative process, coming up with ideas generally isn't much of a challenge. The real work begins with bringing those ideas to life. The filmmaker provided a more detailed insight into this:

"The truth of the matter is, none of these [scripts] are hard to crack. It's as you start to execute it, and as you start to interrogate it, as you start [to think] why these movies are made the way they are: It's not the action, it's not even the level of or intensity of or the scope and scale of the action [or] the engineering around the action, it's none of those things – it's the emotion."

His movies have to work emotionally, there has to be an emotional core. In the case of "Top Gun: Maverick", this applies above all to the relationship between the characters Maverick (Tom Cruise) and Rooster (Miles Teller).

Cast and Crew of "Top Gun 3"

McQuarrie was also asked whether he might take on the position of director this time. His response: he hadn't thought about it yet. So a director has still to be confirmed. However, it is possible that "Top Gun: Maverick" director Joseph Kosinski could return to direct the new sequel. "Maverick" was a major box office success in 2022 and managed to surprise quite a few skeptical viewers.

So far, only Tom Cruise has been confirmed for the cast of "Top Gun 3". However, it can be assumed that Miles Teller and Glen Powell will make a return as well. A date for the theatrical release is not available at the moment. By the way, you can currently stream the first "Top Gun" movie on Prime Video and Paramount+. "Top Gun: Maverick" is only available for streaming on Paramount +.

Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie: A Dream Team

Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise – hardly any other duo of filmmaker and actor has been as successful as them in recent years and decades. Together, the two of them have made an incredible nine movies. The duo has had a huge influence on blockbuster cinema in recent years.

The creative collaboration began with "Valkyrie". Over the years, this was followed by several "Mission: Impossible" movies, "Jack Reacher", "Top Gun: Maverick" and "Edge of Tomorrow", to name but a few. Their last film together to date, "Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning", is currently running in theaters. McQuarrie only wrote the screenplay for some of the movies, but he also directed many of them.

Upcoming Projects

With "Top Gun 3", the dream team's next project is already waiting in the wings. But that's not all. The World War film "Broadsword" is likewise in the pipeline. The story centers on a soldier in the Second World War who has to complete a mission on behalf of the British intelligence service. When he eventually crashes behind enemy lines in France, he is the last survivor of his team and is forced to carry out the mission on his own. You can be pretty much certain that this won't be the end of their collaboration.

The Success of Their Movies

But what exactly makes their movies so special? The success of Christopher McQuarrie and Tom Cruise's films can be traced back to a combination of skill, consistent vision and uncompromising dedication to the audience experience. The two have developed a cinematic style that is synonymous with suspense, handmade action and narrative precision.

A crucial factor is the focus on real stunts performed by Tom Cruise himself. Whether he is clinging to an airplane, flying a helicopter or riding a motorcycle off a cliff – these spectacular scenes create a level of authenticity and thrill that CGI is unable to convey. McQuarrie also knows how to integrate this action into the plot in a meaningful way. Cruise, on the other hand, delivers a rare blend of stardom, physical presence and absolute commitment that captivates viewers.

Last but not least, fans appreciate the high-quality filmmaking and reliability of McQuarrie-Cruise movies. At a time when many blockbusters rely on quick effects, their movies feel like a return to traditional cinema – with passion, understanding and a genuine respect for the audience.