In “Top Gun 3 (2026),” the story picks up several years after the events of “Top Gun: Maverick.” Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is now a revered instructor at the Top Gun academy, mentoring a new generation of elite pilots. The film opens with Maverick being called back into action when a mysterious new threat emerges in the Pacific, involving advanced drone technology and a rogue nation’s stealth fighters.
Enter Dwayne Johnson as Commander Jack “Titan” Carter, a decorated Navy SEAL and aviation specialist brought in to collaborate with Maverick. Their initial relationship is tense, as Titan’s by-the-book approach clashes with Maverick’s legendary risk-taking. However, as the stakes rise, the two must learn to trust each other to lead a daring mission behind enemy lines.
The trailer teases breathtaking aerial dogfights, high-octane training sequences, and a dramatic rescue operation. Maverick and Titan assemble a diverse team of young pilots, including the return of familiar faces like Miles Teller’s “Rooster.” The climax features a heart-stopping battle above the Pacific, where Maverick and Titan must outmaneuver enemy drones and save a captured pilot, pushing their skills and teamwork to the limit.
The film’s production budget is reported to be around $250 million, making it one of the most expensive action films of the decade. This budget covers cutting-edge aerial cinematography, practical effects, and the use of real fighter jets, as well as the high-profile salaries of its stars.
Tom Cruise, reprising his iconic role, brings his signature intensity and commitment to performing his own stunts. As of 2025, Cruise’s net worth is estimated at approximately $600 million, reflecting his decades-long career as a Hollywood superstar. Dwayne Johnson, joining the franchise, is one of the highest-paid actors in the world, with a net worth estimated at $800 million, thanks to his blockbuster films and business ventures.
