Tom Cruise returns as Maverick in 'Top Gun' sequel

The film will hit screens in 2019 - 33 years after the original installment

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise just announced that production for the sequel of the 1986 hit film, Top Gun, has just begun.

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According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cruise will return as Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as the actor recently posted a throwback picture on Twitter. The image shows Cruise standing tall at a plane runway with his pilot helmet in hand. He is seen eyeing his F-14A Tomcat in hindsight - with the iconic phrase 'Feel The Need' spread all across it. The image is also very cleverly captioned, "Day 1."

#Day1 pic.twitter.com/7jjPL277Es

— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) May 31, 2018

It's also reported that the much-anticipated sequel will be called Top Gun: Maverick. Set in the present and dealing with modern warfare, Maverick will follow fighter pilots as they try to figure out how to operate drone technology that is making their old style of flying obsolete.

However, fans won't be able to see Cruise in control of the Tomcat as the jets were discontinued in 2006. Instead, the 55-year-old actor will be seen flying a F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, one of the few fighter airplanes that is currently being manufactured.

PHOTO: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

Film-maker Joseph Kosinski who has directed films such as Oblivion and Tron: Legacy will be helming Maverick. Iconic German music composer Harold Faltermeyer, who created the memorable background score of Top Gun will also be returning for the reboot. The producer of the 1986 film, Jerry Bruckheimer will also return for his role in Maverick.

31 years later, Tom Cruise ready to take off with 'Top Gun 2'

PHOTO: THE SUN

Making a comeback to one of his most famous roles after 33 years, it will be exciting to see Cruise soar the skies yet again. Top Gun: Maverick is scheduled to hit theatres on July 12, 2019.

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