Cruise returns to the Top Gun franchise for the first time in over 30 years in Top Gun: Maverick. The thrilling tale of the titular Maverick is due to continue on cinema screens in July this year, but all eyes now are on whether the studio will push it to streaming instead. Tenet stands as a stark warning for film distributors, as the film was released in cinemas last summer, and did not perform as expected. This would not be the first film being pushed to streaming. In 2020 Disney moved two of its biggest releases, Mulan and Soul, to premiering on Disney Plus. Similarly, Warner Bros’ Wonder Woman 1984 premiered on HBO Max in the US, rather than in cinemas, and other superhero movies may follow suit, with the latest rumours that the upcoming Marvel movie Black Widow could be pushed from its May release date.
Paramount have now given an announcement on what their plans are for Top Gun 2.
With the coronavirus vaccine now being administered across the world, the film company have explained how it could be the beginning of the return of cinema normality.
Chris Aronson, president of distribution at Paramount, explained: “I think the next two months are critical, and whether the new administration can implement a robust vaccination plan.
“If Biden’s 100 million vaccines in 100 days works, then I think we’ll be in good shape.”
READ MORE: Top Gun 2: Kelly McGillis SNUBBED from Tom Cruise sequel
With good news on the vaccine front, Paramount has shown confidence in their upcoming blockbuster.
Aronson added in the statement: “We have no plans to move our theatrical release of Top Gun.”
This means, at the moment, the film is due out as planned on July 2, 2021, continuing the story of Maverick, and introducing Rooster, the son of Maverick’s late partner Goose.
Cruise added: “There’s never been an aerial sequence shot this way. I don’t know if there ever will be again, to be honest.”
The 58-year-old actor wasn’t exaggerating, as newcomer to the series Miles Teller was quoted saying: “There is no green screen in a Top Gun movie. Every shot, every stunt, was the result of the work, the real sweat, that we all put into it.”
He added: “The production was over the course of a full year, which was definitely the longest shoot I have ever been a part of.”
The 33-year-old later explained: “I had about three months of flight training before starting the movie.”
Teller continued: “That time was important to get comfortable with the crafts but also to build up our G-force tolerance, because all of the aerial elements were shot practically.”
In disbelief, Teller added: “Right off the bat, I am flying this f*****g plane myself with The Patriots in formation, with three other planes around, which just felt insane.”
He said: “I stepped out of the craft and said: ‘Guys, we just met, there is no way you should trust me that much.’ I wouldn’t have trusted me.”
Top Gun: Maverick is due out in cinemas on July 2, 2021.
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