Fans of the 1986 action film "Top Gun" are in for a treat. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer revealed in a recent interview with the Huffington Post that plans to make the sequel with the original lead Tom Cruise are still alive.
"We've been trying to get that movie made for 30 years, and I think we're getting closer and closer," Bruckheimer said. "Don [Simpson] (the first film's co-producer) and I tried to develop something, we didn't succeed. [Tom] Cruise took over, and he tried to develop something, and he didn't succeed. Now we're back at it."
The sequel was supposed to be helmed by the first film's director, Tony Scott, as revealed by Paramount Film Group President Adam Goodman in a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. However, due to the director's death two years ago, the project was almost scrapped.
But, following Scott's death, Bruckheimer and his team moved on with "Top Gun 2" and even managed to conceptualize a plot for the sequel. In line with today's military technology, the second installment will be taking on a more modern approach.
He said, "The concept is, basically, are the pilots obsolete because of drones. Cruise is going to show him that they're not obsolete. They're here to stay."
For now, Bruckheimer is trying to find the perfect timing to really get into the production of "Top Gun 2" with Cruise since the actor has been busy lately with his current projects.
"It's just getting to the starting place," the producer commented. "Fortunately for Tom, he's very busy, so you have to find a slot he can fit into and get a budget that Paramount feels they can make the picture."
The Verge pointed out that neither Cruise nor a new director have been officially signed for the sequel.
"Top Gun" was first released in May 16, 1986 and starred Cruise, Kelly McGillis, Val Kilmer, Anthony Edwards, and Tom Skerritt. The film earned over $8 million on its first opening weekend and became the highest grossing of the year.