After almost three decades, the action-packed Tom Cruise-helmed Top Gun, the highest domestic-grossing film of 1986, received a sequel. And not just a sequel for the franchise’s sake, but one that turned heads globally. Per Forbes, Top Gun: Maverick finished as 2022’s highest-grossing film, domestically garnering $718 million. In fact, the global box office collection of Top Gun: Maverick hovered around $1.4 billion, beating other blockbusters like Avatar: The Way of Water and Jurassic World.

Apart from being a commercial hit, Top Gun: Maverick even offered a nostalgic ride to its audience. The film reunited some of Top Gun’s beloved characters and recreated some of the iconic sequences from the first iteration. But all said and done, the next question is: will there ever be Top Gun 3?
Well, the answer is certainly not an easy and clear one. In fact, per Maverick director Joseph Kosinski, there is a possibility, but just not yet. In an interview with Deadline, Kosinski said, “Is there another story that is compelling enough that we need to go back? It seems to me at the end of this film that Maverick has some gas left in the tank. He’s not settling down.” For now, let’s assume for argument’s sake, that there is going to be a Top Gun 3 — here is the list of characters who could return in the future iteration.

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7 Solomon “Warlock” Bates

Paramount Pictures

Charles Parnell’s Warlock was, without discussion, an excellent addition to Top Gun: Maverick. Unfortunately, the film didn’t fully harness the acting chops of Parnell and despite having less time to explore Bates, he, in fact, nailed the character, cementing his place in the hearts of the audience. As far as Top Gun 3 is concerned, it would do well to put Charles’ talent to good use.
Related: Top Gun: Maverick: Why Meg Ryan Didn’t Return for the Sequel

6 Admiral Beau “Cyclone” Simpson

Paramount Pictures

A strict, disciplined, and intolerant man, at best, Cyclone aka Admiral Simpson was a force not to be meddled with in Top Gun: Maverick. He is a man of authority who puts everything in order in the TOPGUN program. As fans might speculate, there is no Top Gun 3 without a TOPGUN program, so it is very likely Cyclone could once again call the shots in the aviation school and, by extension, be part of Top Gun 3. All in all, it would be a treat for fans to watch somebody messing with Pete and yet losing every time.

5 Natasha “Phoenix” Trace

Paramount Pictures

Phoenix, played by Monica Barbaro, is a bold and charismatic character who doesn’t shy away from putting Hangman in place. Depicted as fearless, Phoenix is an integral part of fighter jets pilot crew in the TOPGUN program. If the franchise were to continue with at least one woman character at the forefront, there is no denying that Monica would be the one, if only to see Barbaro once again suit up as Phoenix.

4 Penelope “Penny” Benjamin

Top Gun: Maverick

Played by Jennifer Connelly, Penelope Benjamin aka Penny has finally made her appearance in the sequel Top Gun: Maverick despite having been teased briefly about her existence in the first installment. In the sequel, Penny is introduced as a bartender in a local bar near the airbase. Gradually, she turns into a serious romantic interest for Pete, giving fans a taste of what may happen between the duo in the future. Clearly, if Top Gun 3 materializes into something, then Penny would have a significant role to play in evolving Maverick’s arc, and hence, she is most likely to return in future iterations.
Related: How Top Gun: Maverick Works as Military Propaganda

3 Jake “Hangman” Seresin

Paramount Pictures

Jake Seresin aka Hangman, played by Glen Powell, is a proud character, quite similar to Maverick from OG Top Gun. He holds grudges and makes fun of every other character in the film to establish his dominance and arrogance. And it is probably because of this character trait that Hangman has a different comical, yet dramatic — yet mean — angle to offer to a rather emotional and action-filled Top Gun: Maverick. If the franchise continues to tell tales of the new aviators along with Pete leading the crews, it will come as no surprise to see Hangman joining the fun.

2 Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw

Skydance

Bradley Bradshaw aka Rooster, played by Miles Teller, is the son of Nick Bradshaw — best friend of Maverick. Teller’s Rooster effectively serves as a source of tension between the two lead protagonists of Top Gun: Maverick. In fact, throughout the sequel, Rooster becomes a catalyst in evolving Pete’s arc of dealing with his guilt of losing his best friend, Goose. While Rooster’s arc of confronting Maverick met a conclusive ending, there is plenty that needs to be explored about him. And we believe the third iteration would be the movie to do so.

1 Pete “Maverick” Mitchell

Paramount Pictures

Pete Mitchell aka Maverick, played by legendary Tom Cruise, is, no doubt, one of the main characters that is definitely returning to Top Gun 3. Introduced as a U.S. Naval Aviator in the franchise and later as the instructor in the aviation academy, Maverick surely has some unfinished business left in the TOPGUN program. And, of course, no fan can ever imagine the Top Gun franchise with nail-biting stunts, breath-taking cinematography, and top-notch performances without Cruise.