As the Mission: Impossible franchise nears its conclusion, Tom Cruise is turning his focus to future blockbusters. In a recent interview with Today Show Australia, Cruise confirmed that he is developing follow-ups to both Top Gun: Maverick and Days of Thunder.
“Yeah, we’re thinking and talking about many different stories and what could we do and what’s possible,” Cruise said. “It took me 35 years to figure out Top Gun: Maverick, so we’re discussing Days of Thunder and Top Gun: Maverick.”
He also revealed that multiple projects are currently in development. “There’s numerous other films that we’re actively working on right now,” Cruise added. “I’m always shooting, prepping, or posting a film. I just finished a movie with Alejandro Iñárritu, who did The Revenant. That was an extraordinary experience. And [director Christopher McQuarrie] and I are always working on several films.”
Top Gun: Maverick premiered in May 2022 and became a global success, earning $1.49 billion at the box office. Days of Thunder, released in 1990, made $157 million worldwide during its theatrical run.
Talks about a Days of Thunder sequel began in November 2024. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who also worked on Maverick, is reportedly part of the discussions. The original film starred Cruise as Cole Trickle, a rebellious racecar driver who joins a new NASCAR team led by veteran coach Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall.
In January 2024, Variety reported that Top Gun 3 was in early development at Paramount. Ehren Kruger, co-writer of Maverick, is set to write the script. The studio is hoping to bring back director Joseph Kosinski.
As for Cruise’s next confirmed role, he recently completed filming an untitled project with Oscar-winning director Alejandro González Iñárritu. According to Variety, production began in the UK in late 2024. The film also stars Sandra Hüller, John Goodman, Michael Stuhlbarg, Jesse Plemons, and Sophie Wilde.
Related topics:
