Paramount’s long-awaited Top Gun 3 faces a longer wait than expected after new updates on its development. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, who steered Top Gun: Maverick to global success, the sequel once again has Tom Cruise set to return as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Writers Christopher McQuarrie and Ehren Kruger are also back on board, while David Ellison’s Skydance and Paramount continue to position the project as a priority for the studio.
Top Gun 3’s release date could get delayed even further now
Paramount launched development on Top Gun 3 in early 2024, setting the stage for Tom Cruise’s return as Maverick. At the same time, director Joseph Kosinski committed to Universal’s Miami Vice reboot, scheduled for release on August 6, 2027. With casting already underway and production planned for 2026, his involvement places the sequel on hold for several more years (via Screen Rant).
This timeline pushes Top Gun 3 back until at least 2028. A 2029 release appears more likely if Kosinski stays attached. He is also directing a UFO conspiracy thriller for Apple Studios and may take on an F1 sequel. These projects could delay the sequel even longer. Paramount has not announced an official release date, keeping the project in limbo even though the Skydance merger labeled it a priority.
Kosinski’s career momentum has surged since Top Gun: Maverick. The film earned $1.4 billion worldwide and received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. He followed it with Apple’s F1, which grossed more than $623 million globally. In August 2025, Paramount CEO David Ellison said he would remain in the Tom Cruise business as long as the star wanted to continue telling stories, highlighting the studio’s commitment to the franchise.
The delay raises concerns for Cruise, who is now 63. If Kosinski directs Miami Vice and completes other obligations first, Cruise could approach 70 by the time Top Gun 3 reaches theaters. The physical demands of the aerial sequences make that timeline significant.
Cruise often relies on trusted collaborators, and observers view McQuarrie as a possible alternative if Paramount chooses not to wait for Kosinski.
Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on ComingSoon.
