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Recent reports have confirmed the development of a third installment in Tom Cruise’s Top Gun film series. Despite the satisfying character arc provided for Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in the second film, Top Gun: Maverick, there is still more to explore in the story. The third film is anticipated to explore characters that remained unexplored since the first film in 1986. This includes Maverick’s mentor Viper, played by Tom Skerritt in the original film.

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun 3 could bring back one character from the 1986 film

While it took 36 years for the second movie to materialize, the third movie is expected to arrive very soon, offering a fitting conclusion to Tom Cruise’s iconic character. Cruise’s Top Gun: Maverick co-stars Miles Teller and Glen Powell will also appear in the new film.

Tom Cruise’s Top Gun 3 Might Bring Back One Character For A Fitting Farewell

Tom Skerritt as CDR Mike “Viper” Metcalf in Top Gun

Top Gun: Maverick provided a glimpse into the lives of some of the characters introduced in the first film years ago. One such character was Val Kilmer’s Iceman, a former rival of Tom Cruise’s Maverick. In the sequel, Maverick turns to Iceman for advice about Rooster. Iceman, who is battling terminal throat cancer, assures Maverick that both Rooster and the Navy need him. The character dies soon after.

Fans loved this poignant yet fitting farewell given to Iceman in the sequel. At the same time, fans of the original film raised questions about the absence of another important character in the second film. Top Gun introduces Maverick’s mentor figure, CDR Mike “Viper” Metcalf, who was the Commanding Officer and instructor of Top Gun in the first film. He also served with Maverick’s father, Duke Mitchell, in the Vietnam War.

The character, played by the now 90-year-old Tom Skerritt, could be brought back in Top Gun 3 if the actor is willing. The narrative of the third film could establish that Cruise’s Maverick is still in touch with this influential figure in his life. Moreover, Skerritt’s character could assume a role similar to Iceman’s in Top Gun: Maverick. He can impart some wisdom to Maverick and, perhaps, encourage him to consider retirement.

Tom Skerritt’s age should not pose a barrier to his appearance in Top Gun 3, as he has demonstrated his capability to be a leading man at this stage in his career. He played the lead role of Ben Givens in the 2021 film, East of the Mountains.

Top Gun 3 Is In Development At Paramount Despite Tom Cruise’s Warner Bros. Deal

Tom Cruise is set to reprise his Top Gun role in a third film

Two big Tom Cruise-related news came out last week. The first one was a strategic partnership deal between the Jack Reacher actor and Warner Bros., where Cruise committed to producing films for the studio (via Deadline). However, this deal is non-exclusive, allowing Cruise to work with other studios. The second report was about a threequel of Top Gun in development at Paramount (via Deadline).

It is expected that the sequel director Joseph Kosinski will return in the capacity of a director or producer. Paramount has recently commissioned screenwriter Ehren Kruger to pen the first draft. Tom Cruise may step down from the lead role and possibly hand over the baton to Miles Teller. It is speculated that Teller and Kosinski, who earlier collaborated for Netflix’s Spiderhead, will carry the franchise ahead (via ScreenRant).

Interestingly, Tom Cruise is currently working with Paramount on the eighth installment of his Mission: Impossible franchise. A threequel to Top Gun is the right move for the producers, considering the second film grossed $1.496 billion at the worldwide box office. Both Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick are now available for streaming on Paramount+.