Tom Cruise is Developing Top Gun 3 and a Days of Thunder Sequel Following Mission: Impossible

Tom Cruise is developing sequels for both “Top Gun” and “Days of Thunder” as he wraps up the “Mission: Impossible” series. In a recent interview with Today Show Australia, he shared that he and his team are brainstorming various storylines for these films. Cruise stated, “We’re thinking and talking about many different stories and what could we do and what’s possible,” revealing the depth of their planning. He also noted the long journey it took to create “Top Gun: Maverick,” which took him 35 years to develop, indicating a careful approach to the new projects.

The original “Top Gun,” which was released in 1986, alongside its successful sequel “Top Gun: Maverick”—which grossed over $1.4 billion globally—marks significant milestones in Cruise’s career. Similarly, “Days of Thunder,” released in 1990, holds a special place in his filmography. The monumental success of “Maverick” has led to renewed discussions about continuing the “Top Gun” franchise, with Cruise expressing a desire to revisit these iconic characters.

In addition to the sequels, Cruise recently wrapped filming an untitled film directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, known for his work on “The Revenant.” This film is set for release on October 2, 2026. Cruise described the filmmaking experience as “extraordinary” and emphasized his collaboration with director Christopher McQuarrie, with whom he has partnered on several “Mission: Impossible” films.

As Cruise continues to broaden his film portfolio, fans are eagerly anticipating news on the upcoming sequels and other projects he has in the pipeline.