San Diego Comic-Con has unleashed a few noteworthy trailers today. Earlier in the day there was an exclusive look at “It: Chapter Two,” and now Paramount’s upcoming Tom Cruise-starring “Top Gun: Maverick” has unveiled its first footage as well.
Did we really need a sequel to “Top Gun”? Of course not. Cruise is desperately trying to build as many franchises to his name as possible, he knows full well that the “star vehicle” is all but a dying breed in Hollywood. Smart guy. Of course, “Top Gun” captured the zeitgeist of an era that's long, long gone.
If anything, Cruise should take some cues from his predecessors like Hackman, De Niro, Pacino who all tackled challenging roles once they hit their fifties. Cruise is one of the few guys in town who can make any picture he wants, which means he can also afford to take a risk and make a movie like “Magnolia,” “Born on the Fourth of July,” “Eyes Wide Shut.” “Collateral,” “Rain Man,” and “Minority Report”? So, what is he waiting for? We know there is the potential for absolute greatness in Cruise. He should have won the Oscar in 2000 for “Magnolia.” That performance, as Frank T.J. Mackey, was absolutely seminal.
Ok, back to ‘Top Gun.’
Cruise's "Oblivion" director, Joseph Kosinski, is directing this sequel to the popular 1988 movie — which will be penned by Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible — Fallout) Peter Craig (12 Strong), Justin Marks (Counterpoint), and Eric Warren Singer (American Hustle).
The cast assembled for the sequel is impressive, to say the least, it includes includes Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, Jon Hamm, and Ed Harris.
"Top Gun: Maverick" will hit theaters on June 26, 2020.