Top Gun 2is one of thoselong-gestating sequelsthat we often hear about, but never see. Well, it looks like things are closer to happening this morning, as one of the original 1986Top Guncast members has confirmed their return.Val Kilmer, who played the villainous, yet ultimately heroicIceman, jumped on his personalFacebookpage to share the information. He states the following.
“I just got offered #topgun2 - not often you get to say “yes” without reading the script…“It’s starring Gene Hackman…” “Yes” “The director is Francis Coppola…” “Yes!” Jerry Bruckheimer and Tom Cruise!!! “Yes.” We will all miss Tony Scott one of the kindest gentlemen I’ve ever met in the film biz, but let’s fire up some fighter jets again!!!”
Now, before you read that and get too excited, no,Francis Ford Coppolais not directing Top Gun 2. AndGene Hackmanis not coming out of retirement for the sequel. That is not whatVal Kilmermeant to imply. He clarifies things in a follow up message to fans.
“Francis Coppola and Gene Jackman are examples of what an actor says “yes” to. They are not involved. So sorry for the misunderstanding.”
Top Gun 2 has been in the works for quite sometime. And unlike other sequels to 80s hits that we often hear about, likeBill & Ted 3andThe Goonies 2, the film was very near a start date with original directorTony Scottreturning to the helm. The movie would have arrived in 2013, but right before production was to begin the previous year,Tony Scottcommittedsuicideby jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Long Beach. This put the movie on indefinite hold.
But now, it seems things are heating back up on the project, with original starTom Cruisestill committed to reprising his role as United States Naval Aviator Lieutenant Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original, is also back. And a few years ago, he had this to say about the new plot, which will revolve around unmanneddrones, with pilots becoming a relic of the past.
“The concept is, basically, are the pilots obsolete because of drones? [Tom Cruise as Maverick] is going to show them that they’re not obsolete. They’re here to stay.”
Justin Marks, the man behind Disney’s upcoming live-action/CGIThe Jungle Book, is responsible for the most recent draft of the Top Gun 2 screenplay. We don’t yet know how Iceman fits into the story, or if he and Maverick have become long-time friends in the events followingTop Gunthirty years ago. Peter Craig, best known for his screenplay work onBen Affleck’sThe Town, wrote the initial script. What do you think? Are you excited to see Iceman back in top form? Or is it all too little too late for this flyboy?
