Like a maverick pilot buzzing the news tower, nuggets of info about the long-gestating Top Gun 2 sometimes come unexpectedly soaring out of the sky to blip the ol’ radar. Last October, it was reported that X-Men: First Class** contributors Ashley Miller and Zack Stentz had won the gig to write the latest script. But now Variety brings word that The Town’s Peter Craig will write a new draft.
Actually, he’s kicking off with a completely blank page, since Miller and Stentz apparently never wrote a word. We like to imagine them making hundreds of paper aeroplanes and re-enacting favourite dog fights from the first film, then taking handfuls of them to Bruckheimer's office before being marched out the door. Sadly, we're pretty sure it was all more professional than that.
What that also means is there are exactly zero details about the plot, though we do have an concept we'd like to pitch where Anthony Edwards’ Goose comes back as a zombie leading a squadron of ghost planes against a hot new pilot, who must turn to the not-so-grizzled Tom Cruise for advice. It’s free if you want to use it, Mr Craig!
Original director Tony Scott and Tom Cruise are both involved in developing the film, though their exact final roles beyond producing have still yet to be locked down. But with Jerry Bruckheimer also overseeing things and Paramount striking a deal with financial backer David Ellison’s Skydance Productions, it’s clear that everyone feels the need for speed.
Since working on The Town, Craig has been busy with a few other scripts, including adapting Canadian comedy Fathers And Guns and throwing in ideas to Bad Boys 3.