Elijah Williams
Summary
- Top Gun: Maverick’s flying scenes set a high bar for Top Gun 3, which will need to surpass the audience’s expectations for stunning aerial acrobatics and visual effects.
- Top Gun 3 must prioritize finding the right story, taking the time to develop a solid narrative that respects Maverick’s character and paves the way for the next generation of Top Gun graduates.
- The success of Top Gun: Maverick puts immense pressure on Top Gun 3, as it must strive to capture the spirit and nostalgia of the previous films while offering a fresh and meaningful story that stands on its own.
Top Gun: Maverick was one of the biggest box office hits of 2022, and now Tom Cruise’s Top Gun 3 faces some of the biggest challenges of the franchise. The sequel saw Cruise return to the cockpit as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell for a follow up to his 1986 hit, this time having the former hotshot pilot teaching a new group of Top Gun graduates, with bigger action sequences and more stunning aerial shots of fighter jets than ever before. On a budget of $170 million, it made an impressive $1.496 billion globally, all but guaranteeing that Top Gun 3 was going to be the natural progression for the action series.
Top Gun: Maverick seemed like a natural conclusion, tying up the stories of Maverick, Iceman (Val Kilmer), and other Top Gun characters, presenting the first in a series of obstacles for Top Gun 3 to succeed. Assuming Cruise finds the time amidst a busy filming schedule to start production on the film, logistics, casting, narrative, and other creative choices will have to be carefully considered in order for the capstone of the Top Gun trilogy to succeed. There’s no doubt that fans will go to see Cruise return as Maverick for perhaps one final time, but it will need to overcome considerable issues to be as good as its predecessors.
10 Top Gun: Maverick’s Flying Scenes Will Be Tough To Beat
Top Gun: Maverick’s flying scenes were some of the most impressive displays of aerial acrobatics recorded on film, and represented the true collaborative spirit between Cruise and director Joseph Kosinski’s vision. Given the approach they took to authentically capture the stunning displays from inside the cockpit, as opposed to around it, fans felt like they were really flying a fighter jet. Top Gun 3 will have to work even harder to impress an audience that has now come to expect a certain level of jaw-dropping professionalism from the franchise’s visual effects.
9 Top Gun 3 Must Be Patient Finding The Right Story
One of the reasons it took Top Gun: Maverick 13 years to be developed was because it needed to have the right story. Maverick had to be included in the new world of Navy aerial combat in a way that made sense, and didn’t seem out of place in the era of drone warfare. Rather than rush the production of the film to capitalize on the success of its predecessor, Top Gun 3 should have a solid story first that both give Maverick a respectful sendoff while at the same time passing the torch to the next generation of Top Gun graduates.
8 Top Gun: Maverick’s Success Puts More Pressure on Top Gun 3
Top Gun: Maverick’s Success Puts More Pressure On Top Gun 3
Top Gun: Maverick took the world by storm, setting the bar high for Top Gun 3. The sequel not only captured the essence and nostalgia of the original film but also stood on its own with a unique story. One of its most memorable moments was the heartfelt scene between Maverick and Iceman, played by Val Kilmer, before Iceman’s tragic demise. Recreating such magic with a different cast member from the original crew will undoubtedly be a challenge.
7 Tom Cruise’s Schedule Makes Top Gun 3 More Difficult
Tom Cruise’s busy schedule poses a challenge for Top Gun 3, especially with his ongoing commitment to filming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two. Cruise always gives his all to his projects, so finding the right time to fit in Top Gun 3 will require him to bring his A-game. In addition to his current film, Cruise is also involved in an untitled collaboration with Space X and a sequel to Live Die Repeat, a beloved sci-fi action film that has gained a cult following in his filmography.
6 Top Gun 3 Must Find The Right Role For Maverick
Top Gun 3 must carefully consider the role of Maverick. Finding the right character arc and storyline for him will be crucial in continuing the success of the franchise. Maverick’s presence is essential, and the filmmakers need to ensure that his character is given the depth and development it deserves.
In some ways, Cruise’s ideal role for Top Gun 3 was revealed years ago when Top Gun: Maverick was in the early stages of development. Cruise didn’t want Maverick to inhabit a stereotype and just be another grizzled flight instructor, and fortunately, the film found a way to better utilize the character, but that makes Top Gun 3 more challenging. Cruise shouldn’t repeat what he’s already done, but instead should find a new way to bring complexity to the character so that he doesn’t seem to have stagnated, perhaps even focusing on Maverick finding meaning beyond his “need for speed” after retirement or with his love interest.
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Top Gun 3 Must Set Up A New Lead For The Franchise
If Maverick takes on a smaller role in the story, then a new lead will need to take his place. Unfortunately, Cruise is synonymous with the franchise at this point, so anyone who accomplishes this task will need to be able to carry it. It seemed like new Top Gun: Maverick characters like Rooster or Hangman were going to fulfill the void left by Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, but they might not still be available or interested, particularly since it’s a tall order to take on a series of films that are so closely associated with their star, whose devotion to his action movies is legendary.
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Top Gun 3 Can’t Be A Cash Grab
Considering that Top Gun: Maverick was one of the most successful films of 2022, it’s not surprising that a sequel would get greenlit. The challenge is making Top Gun 3 not seem like a soulless cash grab intended to put the brand name on something that doesn’t resemble the other two movies. Film series like Fast & Furious and Star Wars have been accused of cranking out films just because studios know that fans will come and see them if they have the franchise name, and not because their content is worthy to carry it.
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The Covid-19 Pandemic Helped Top Gun: Maverick
One possible reason for the success of Top Gun: Maverick could be the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the competition. With fewer movies being released, it had a better chance to shine compared to Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, which faced tough competition from films like Barbie and Oppenheimer. Despite being part of a well-established franchise, it seems that audiences were more interested in fresh and original stories rather than sequels.
2 Top Gun 3 Will Face More Competition
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Top Gun 3 didn’t face as much competition as it would have in normal circumstances, as many movies were released directly to streaming services instead of theaters. However, when Top Gun 3 finally debuts in 1-2 years, it will have to compete with other popular movies at the theaters. Superhero films continue to dominate the box office, but the success of original movies like Barbie and Oppenheimer proves that audiences are still drawn to compelling and unique stories.
1 Top Gun: Maverick Felt Like The Natural Franchise Conclusion
For many, Top Gun: Maverick felt like the perfect conclusion to the franchise. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic allowed it to stand out among the limited competition. As the story continues with Top Gun 3, it will face tougher competition from other movies in theaters. However, the success of original films like Barbie and Oppenheimer shows that audiences are still hungry for captivating and well-made stories.
Top Gun: Maverick felt like the perfect ending for the franchise, making it quite challenging for Top Gun 3 to avoid feeling unnecessary. It beautifully concluded Maverick’s journey by showcasing his final mission alongside the new Top Gun graduates, followed by a serene departure with Penny. The respectful burial of Iceman honored his unwavering dedication to military service, while Maverick’s redemption in saving Goose’s son’s life compensated for his past mistakes. Therefore, Top Gun 3 must embark on a new adventure that feels like a fresh beginning rather than the end of an epic saga.
