I would love to see Tom Cruise again as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun 3, but he would be better off reprising another role in a different movie sequel. In a career spanning over four decades, Tom Cruise has starred in both standalone and sequel movies. When it comes to standalone films, he is probably best known for his work in Jerry Maguire, Minority Report, War of the Worlds, and a few other well-known films. While some of these standalone films have played a crucial role in defining Tom Cruise’s career, his biggest hits and flops have been sequels or reboots.
For instance, The Mummy and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back rank among his biggest box office failures. However, Top Gun 2 and several installments of the Mission: Impossible series have given him career highs that only a few other actors have experienced. Since Top Gun: Maverick brought him immense critical acclaim and box office success, the mere prospect of him donning Pete Mitchell’s uniform is exciting. But I am convinced I would be more hyped if the actor starred in the sequel of a different film.
Edge Of Tomorrow Is The Tom Cruise Sequel I Want To See The Most
Edge Of Tomorrow Leaves More Room For Tom Cruise’s Character To Grow In A Sequel
Although Tom Cruise has been the driving force behind both Top Gun movies’ success, it cannot be denied that Top Gun: Maverick gave his character a perfectly well-rounded closure. Towards the sequel’s end, Pete Mitchell not only leads an epic aerial operation but also fixes his relationship with Rooster. Top Gun 2 also seemingly establishes Miles Teller’s Rooster and Glen Powell’s Hangman as the potential leading men for future additions to the installment. Since they are both talented actors, I am sure most viewers would not mind seeing them as worthy Tom Cruise replacements/successors in Top Gun 3.
Cruise’s character, Major William Cage, eradicates the alien threat, but the film’s loopy time-travel narrative seems to have immense scope for expansion.
When it comes to Edge of Tomorrow, however, the film’s ending leaves enough room for Cruise’s character’s return for at least one sequel. Cruise’s character, Major William Cage, eradicates the alien threat, but the film’s loopy time-travel narrative seems to have immense scope for expansion. Tom Cruise’s role in Top Gun also seems reminiscent of all the characters he has portrayed in several other action movie franchises. However, his portrayal of Edge of Tomorrow’s goofy and often cowardly protagonist is something that stands out in his long and diverse acting career.
Since I will get to see him as a badass daredevil character in Mission: Impossible’s final installment, I am unsure if he needs to play a similar role in Top Gun 3 again. Since Edge of Tomorrow 2 would also be an action film, it would allow Cruise to play by his strengths. At the same time, it would leave enough room for him to put his acting range on display as Major William Cage overcomes his fears while navigating a new set of time-travel adventures.
Top Gun: Maverick Was Fantastic (But Edge Of Tomorrow Desperately Needs A Sequel)
Edge Of Tomorrow 2 Could Start A New Tom Cruise Action Franchise
Top Gun: Maverick easily ranks among Tom Cruise’s best movies. However, its conclusive storyline does not set the stage for a full-fledged action franchise for Cruise. Since the Mission: Impossible movie series is also reaching its closure, Tom Cruise will need a new action franchise. From likable characters to a scalable sci-fi concept, from talented actors to a masterful action director, Edge of Tomorrow seems to have all the right ingredients to become the perfect franchise replacement for Tom Cruise after Mission: Impossible.
Although Edge of Tomorrow 2’s future still seems uncertain, I cannot help but hope that things will eventually fall into place for the film. Tom Cruise will also likely have more time on his hands after Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two, which could move the flywheels of the sequel in a positive direction. As Doug Liman’s exciting update for Edge of Tomorrow 2 suggests, Warner Bros is also keen on expanding the film franchise, which is another solid reason why Edge of Tomorrow 2 should see the light of day with Tom Cruise as its lead.