10 Directors Top Gun 3 Could Land To Replace Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski

With the massive success of 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick – earning over $1.4 billion worldwide – Paramount and Tom Cruise have officially announced Top Gun 3. Tom Cruise will return as Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell, and now the search is on for a new director to lead the project.

Work on the third Top Gun movie is moving forward, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing again and Ehren Kruger writing the screenplay. Glen Powell and Miles Teller are likely to reprise their roles as Hangman and Rooster alongside Tom Cruise. Throughout most of the planning process, it was assumed Joseph Kosinski would direct, following the huge success of Maverick.

Joseph Kosinski was chosen to direct the new Top Gun film, continuing the franchise started by Tony Scott in 1986. Having previously collaborated with star Tom Cruise on the 2013 movie Oblivion, Kosinski benefited from Cruise’s tendency to work with directors he already knew and trusted. Kosinski’s strong understanding of the story, the world of Top Gun, and especially the impressive flight sequences, were key to the success of Maverick.

Recent reports suggest Joseph Kosinski probably won’t direct Top Gun 3. While he might still be a producer or have some involvement, it looks like a new director will be needed, as Kosinski is now focusing on Miami Vice ’85. Paramount is already thinking about potential directors to take on the well-known Top Gun franchise, and several candidates are being considered.

10. Christopher McQuarrie

If Kosinski isn’t involved, Tom Cruise will likely turn to Christopher McQuarrie first. McQuarrie has worked with Cruise for years, directing the last four Mission: Impossible films and both Jack Reacher movies. He’s also contributed to many of Cruise’s other recent projects, including co-writing Top Gun: Maverick.

As a huge Top Gun fan, I’m really excited about the possibility of McQuarrie directing the third film! He’s already helped with the story, so he totally gets what this movie needs. Plus, he’s proven he can deliver amazing, practical action – think Mission: Impossible – and that’s exactly what a Top Gun movie deserves. Honestly, I think he’d be the perfect choice to make sure it’s awesome.

9. James Mangold

Following the Skydance acquisition, Paramount is considering James Mangold to direct a potential Top Gun 3. Mangold recently signed a deal with the studio and is already developing another film starring Timothée Chalamet. Known for directing action-packed movies like Logan and Ford v. Ferrari, he has a knack for combining thrilling action sequences with compelling characters.

Given their recent agreement, it’s logical that Paramount would want James Mangold to lead one of their most valuable franchises. Mangold already has a working relationship with Tom Cruise – they collaborated on the 2010 film Knight and Day – making his involvement even more feasible. This would be a chance for them to combine their talents and create a significantly larger and more ambitious film almost twenty years later.

8. Lee Isaac Chung

I’ve been hearing some interesting things about who might direct Top Gun 3. Apparently, while Tom Cruise likes to work with people he knows well, the next director doesn’t necessarily need to have a Top Gun background. It sounds like he might choose someone he’s championed and supported, even if they haven’t worked together directly on a film before. A name that’s been floated is Lee Isaac Chung, who directed the beautiful Minari and also had a huge hit this summer with Twisters – a really exciting prospect, if you ask me!

I recently learned that Powell, who was great in the Twister follow-up, already has a professional connection with one of the actors likely to be in Top Gun 3. Considering Chung just left a new Ocean’s project and we’re all still waiting for official news on Twisters 2, Powell might be free to really shake things up and take the Top Gun saga in a fresh, exciting direction. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on!

7. Doug Liman

Doug Liman, who often works with Tom Cruise, might be considered to direct Top Gun 3 by Paramount. The studio previously hired Liman to remake The Saint and adapt Stephen King’s The Stand, though those projects haven’t moved forward yet. Despite this, they seem to have a good working relationship.

Tom Cruise and the director were hoping to make another Deeper movie, but it’s currently on hold due to cost concerns. While they work on that, the director could potentially take on Top Gun 3 and work with Cruise again – they’ve collaborated successfully on films like Edge of Tomorrow and American Made. Although his projects sometimes face challenges, Cruise’s involvement could help make it happen.

6. Patty Jenkins

Patty Jenkins is another strong contender. Since directing Wonder Woman 1984 in 2020, her plans for a third Wonder Woman film and the Star Wars movie Rogue Squadron have both faced setbacks. Her ability to create compelling characters and emotional stories would be a great fit for Top Gun 3.

Shauna Jenkins has a deep connection to the world of pilots. Her father was a fighter pilot in the Vietnam War and tragically died during a training exercise. This personal loss made directing Rogue Squadron particularly meaningful to her. Now that she won’t be able to bring her Star Wars vision to life, it would be fantastic to see her passion for aviation and understanding of the dangers pilots face shine through in Top Gun 3.

5. Brad Bird

Although Tony Scott directed the original Top Gun and Christopher McQuarrie has directed recent Mission: Impossible films, making him a strong candidate to direct Top Gun 3, Paramount and Tom Cruise should also consider Brad Bird. Bird is famous for animated hits like The Incredibles and The Iron Giant, but he also successfully directed the fourth Mission: Impossible movie, Ghost Protocol.

Brad Bird hasn’t directed a live-action film since the 2015 Disney movie Tomorrowland, but he’s due for another opportunity. A large-scale production like Top Gun 3 would be a great way for him to return. If Paramount is looking for a director with experience making big, action-packed films and who is available – as his latest project, Ray Gunn, is releasing later this year – Bird could be an excellent fit.

4. Barry Jenkins

Paramount might also take a bold step and try to hire Barry Jenkins. While he hasn’t directed an action film or large-scale blockbuster before, he’s certainly capable of it. Bringing him on board would likely result in incredibly strong character development and acting, potentially elevating the Top Gun series to a new level.

Although director Colin Jenkins hasn’t previously collaborated with Tom Cruise or Paramount Pictures, he’s connected to a potential Top Gun 3 through producer David Powell. They announced last year they were working on a sci-fi film for Universal, and while that project’s current status is unknown, it could be a possibility if Jenkins and Cruise are looking for their next collaboration. Jenkins directing Top Gun 3 would be an unexpected, but welcome, development.

3. Alejandro G. Iñárritu

Tom Cruise is teaming up with celebrated director Alejandro G. Iñárritu – known for films like Birdman and The Revenant – for a new dark comedy called Digger. This project is happening before Cruise starts work on Top Gun 3, and reports suggest they enjoyed collaborating. Digger is scheduled to be released later this year.

If audiences want to see more of the story, a third Top Gun movie is a possibility. It would be the biggest film of director Ińárritu’s career so far, and he’s already shown he can create exciting and suspenseful action scenes. Working on a project as large as Top Gun 3 would give him a chance to showcase those skills even further and reach a wider audience.

2. Paul Thomas Anderson

Paul Thomas Anderson, the acclaimed director behind last year’s blockbuster and critically praised film One Battle After Another, is now a prime candidate to direct Top Gun 3. While his next project remains unconfirmed, taking on the third Top Gun movie is definitely a possibility.

Anderson has experience with action films, having already directed One Battle After Another with a large budget and for IMAX. He previously collaborated with Tom Cruise on Magnolia almost three decades ago, and this would be a welcome opportunity to work together again. He’s also keen on directing action franchises, and while he hoped to direct a Mission: Impossible film, Top Gun would be a fantastic alternative.

1. Tom Cruise

It makes sense that Paramount and Tom Cruise might consider him to direct a Top Gun 3. He’s directed many large-scale, successful films and has a strong creative vision. Given his expertise in making movies like this, if the project becomes a top priority, he might even decide to take on the directing role himself.

It’s unlikely Tom Cruise will direct Top Gun 3, even though he’s already very busy with the sequel. He doesn’t have much directing experience – his only official credit is a single TV episode from 1993. He can still be heavily involved in the film as the star and producer without taking on the role of director.

2026-04-24 00:15