Well ahead of Top Gun: Maverick’s theatrical release, franchise star Tom Cruise created a glaring issue for future installments, including Top Gun 3.
Well ahead of Top Gun: Maverick‘s theatrical debut, Tom Cruise created a major problem for future franchise installments, including Top Gun 3. Given Cruise’s producing duties on Top Gun: Maverick, the franchise lead was more heavily involved in the movie’s development process than the average Hollywood star. This led Cruise to weigh in on plenty of crucial decision-making processes, from narrative choices to what the film would be called. After all, there was a lot riding on the Top Gun sequel — a long-awaited follow-up to the 1986 classic — even before the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered theaters and delayed the movie.
No stranger to helming long-running franchises, Cruise signed off on another Top Gun installment because it had a story worth telling. Since its release, Top Gun: Maverick has been credited with saving Hollywood; not only did the Oscar-nominated flick help welcome viewers back to cinemas, but it boasted a global box office draw of $1.5 billion. Although the Top Gun 3 hasn’t been officially announced, Top Gun: Maverick‘s remarkable success will no doubt spawn a sequel. Unfortunately, Tom Cruise has already complicated the sure-to-be-greenlit threequel from both a marketing and story perspective.
Top Gun 3 Can’t Be The Sequel’s Title Due To Tom Cruise’s Rules
Although it seems like the obvious title, Top Gun 3 can’t be in the third film’s title. The apparent rule stems from Tom Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick decree: the star and producer didn’t want a number in the sequel film’s title, forcing filmmakers to forgo a “2” in its name. While the chosen title of Top Gun: Maverick neatly side-stepped any out-of-control numbering of the series’ potential sequels, it also needlessly complicated the naming of future installments. It’s possible Cruise was trying to avoid the messy titling found in his Mission: Impossible franchise. Regardless, the Top Gun naming convention creates a few problems for the third entry.
As a movie that redefined the summer blockbuster, Top Gun: Maverick fittingly puts the spotlight on Cruise’s Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. From a storytelling perspective, it seems appropriate for Top Gun 3 to close out Maverick’s story. While there are still a few loose threads, Top Gun: Maverick provides enough closure to demote Cruise’s character from a lead to a supporting role. However, given Cruise’s heavy involvement in the franchise, it’s unlikely he will pass the baton — even if that’s what the story needs most. This is further complicated by the Cruise-imposed titling rule, which means the next movie can’t be called Top Gun 3 or Top Gun: Maverick 2.
Top Gun 3’s Title Risks Losing Focus Of Maverick
With “Top Gun: Maverick 2 ” out of the running, the third film in the series will be hard-pressed to find a title that keeps the focus on Maverick. Undoubtedly, Pete’s Top Gun call sign is the most recognizable name from the series, so, from a marketing perspective, a third film will also be forced to work around that issue. Dropping “Maverick” from Top Gun 3‘s title implies that Tom Cruise’s character will take on more of a wingman role; if that aligns with the franchise’s narrative trajectory, nixing “Maverick” from the movie’s title would be fine.
However, if Top Gun 3 doesn’t indulge the darkest Maverick theory or otherwise sideline the character, keeping the call sign in the movie’s title may be crucial. This could be done by elevating another character, like Miles Teller’s Rooster, alongside Maverick, and titling the movie something like: Top Gun: Maverick & Rooster. Although that solves the numbering issue, it also somewhat detracts from Tom Cruise’s starring role. The issue may seem superfluous at first, but in an age dominated by cinematic universes and sequels, Top Gun 3‘s title is a key ingredient in ensuring the franchise’s future success.
