Oct 15, 2010 11:46 GMT  ·  By
Paramount is working on “Top Gun 2,” Tom Cruise will reprise his original part
   Paramount is working on “Top Gun 2,” Tom Cruise will reprise his original part

At this point, it would be rather redundant to point out that Hollywood is obsessed with sequels, prequels and reboots. Still, this should come as extraordinary news for fans: Paramount Pictures if making “Top Gun 2” and Tom Cruise is on board.

Two decades (24 years, to be more precise) after the film that catapulted Cruise to the status of international icon, audiences are getting a follow-up.

Given the context and how well similar projects (see “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps”) fared at the box office, this really shouldn’t come as a shock.

However, unlike with Michael Douglas’ Gekko, it may be hard for a movie studio to bring back Tom Cruise’s Maverick just like that, NY Mag’s Vulture reports.

One thing at a time: Paramount is interested in making a sequel to the 1986 hit and it’s already approached big names in the business to see if it can get them on board.

“Paramount Pictures has made offers to both producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Tony Scott to follow up their action classic, and has a missile lock on Oscar-winning screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects) to update the script,” Vulture reports.

Adapting the script is essential, the publication further argues, since much has changed in the field since the original came out – again, unlike Wall Street where money never did and never will sleep.

Bruckheimer is the first to admit to that, saying in a recent press conference that he had been “approached again to start talking about [a sequel],” while noting that “the aviation community has completely changed since we made the movie a long time ago,” Vulture says.

Still, the powers that be at Paramount are determined to make this work – in such a way as to spell a hit at the box office and, if possible, with critics as well.

Tom Cruise fans should also be happy to hear that the actor has also been approached for the project and said yes to the offer. This time, though, his part will be significantly smaller.

“We’re told by a source close to the project that McQuarrie – who is friendly with Cruise – has found a way to incorporate Maverick, and what’s more, we hear that Cruise has agreed to take a smaller role in the film, provided it’s not too ‘obvious’ a part, i.e. Lieutenant Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell as grizzled Top Gun flight instructor,” Vulture says.

Further details on this are not known at this time. Considering the project hasn’t even been announced officially yet, chances are it will be a while longer until Paramount confirms the above report.