Tom Cruise, known for a diverse filmography that spans decades, is approaching a significant turning point in his career with the upcoming release of Top Gun 3. This new installment, currently in development, could represent the conclusion of Cruise’s involvement in major film franchises, marking the end of an era for the actor.
Cruise has enjoyed enormous success with his blockbuster franchises, including the Mission: Impossible series, which will close this year with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Alongside these, Top Gun: Maverick became one of the most successful sequels in recent decades, greatly surpassing the impact of its 1986 predecessor.
Director Hints at Final Chapter for Maverick
In a recent interview, director Joseph Kosinski described Top Gun 3 as “one last ride” for the character Maverick, implying Cruise’s role in this franchise may conclude with this film. While Kosinski stopped short of explicitly confirming the actor’s departure, his comments strongly suggest that this will be the final Maverick installment featuring Cruise.
With the recent completion of the Mission: Impossible saga, Cruise currently does not have any other franchise projects lined up, reinforcing the view that this may be a closing chapter for his blockbuster series work.
Possibility of a Days of Thunder Sequel Reviving Cruise’s Franchise Career
Despite this seeming finale, discussions are underway about reviving another of Cruise’s earlier franchises. Paramount is reportedly in talks with Cruise about a sequel to the 1990 car action film Days of Thunder. This continuation would join the ranks of other successful legacy sequels that Cruise has been a part of.
An executive familiar with the project reflected cautiously, saying they
“don’t think it is a terrible idea,”
indicating a tempered but open stance toward producing the sequel. However, as these conversations are still preliminary, the film’s production has not been confirmed and remains uncertain.
Shifting Focus Toward Original Films Could Benefit Cruise’s Career
While a Days of Thunder sequel could rejuvenate Cruise’s presence in franchise cinema, there is growing anticipation for him to pursue more unique, original roles. It has been eight years since Cruise starred in a non-franchise film, the last being 2017’s American Made.
Currently, Cruise is collaborating with director Alejandro G. Iñárritu on an untitled action-comedy project. This film reportedly explores the story of a man in a position of immense power who inadvertently causes a disastrous event and must then work to save humanity. The genre harkens back to the dynamic 1990s era, known for its diverse action comedies, including Hollywood blockbusters, Asian martial arts films, and buddy cop stories.
This new venture offers Cruise the chance to break away from his typical blockbuster action roles and explore different facets of his acting abilities by creating a fresh character. If he continues to move toward original projects, it could mark an exciting new chapter in his career beyond large-scale franchises.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. When was Tom Cruise diagnosed?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven, he found out he had dyslexia, a learning difficulty that makes reading hard. This issue made reading tough for him in high school and during the start of his acting career. Despite this challenge, Cruise didn’t let it stop him from pursuing his goals.
Q. What is Tom Cruise’s religion?
A. Apart from his work in movies, Cruise is known for strongly supporting the Church of Scientology. This has led to controversy and close attention to his role in the group. Additionally, he loves flying and has been a licensed pilot since 1994.
Q. What syndrome does Tom Cruise have?
A. Tom Cruise faced dyslexia but realized he could beat its challenges through effort and determination. Even with reading difficulties, he followed his acting dreams. Acting actually assisted him in managing his dyslexia.
Q. Does Tom Cruise have any disabilities?
A. Tom Cruise struggled with reading because he was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 7 years old. During high school and his early acting career, reading was very hard for him, especially when he had to go through scripts.
