And as for the sequel to tonight’s film, so far that’s still in very early development – Bruckheimer confirmed that screenwriter Justin Marks has only recently started on the script. He did however talk at length about the original film’s impact. “It’s a special film because of the fact that it highlights the military,” he says. “It shows the best and the brightest of our country, the kids who go to war to protect our shores, to protect our freedoms and unfortunately sometimes have to give up their lives for our country. That is something where we inspired a lot of kids to join the military, through that movie. That’s kind of a good thing — we want the best and brightest out there.”

Joseph Kosinski Frontrunner to Direct ‘Top Gun 2’ Starring Tom Cruise (EXCLUSIVE)

Tom Cruise is getting ready to head back to the Danger Zone — and he’s bringing an old friend along for the ride.

Sources tell Variety that Joseph Kosinski — who directed Cruise in “Oblivion” — is the front-runner to direct “Top Gun 2” for Paramount and Skydance Pictures. While no official offer has been made, several insiders believe one is imminent.

Paramount had no comment.

Cruise met with potential helmers prior to and while filming “Mission Impossible: 6” in London to ensure the “Top Gun” sequel was ready to go after production wrapped. Even with Cruise and Kosinski having previously worked together on the 2013 sci-fi action film, sources say it was Kosinski’s vision the sequel’s direction that officially won him the job.

Cruise recently confirmed to a British talk show that the sequel was moving forward and would hopefully shoot at the start of next year.

Tom Cruise has revealed the title for the “Top Gun” sequel: “Top Gun: Maverick.”

In an interview with Access Hollywood, he said, “I didn’t want a number,” he said. “You don’t need a number.”

He also teased the film in the interview, saying, “Aviators are back, the need for speed. We’re going to have big, fast machines. It’s going to be a competition film, like the first one … but a progression for Maverick.”

Last month, the actor said the sequel to the 1986 Tony Scott-direct blockbuster is “definitely happening” and that he will “start filming it probably in the next year.”

There have been several attempts to bring a “Top Gun” sequel to life, but interest from key players appeared to increase in recent years. Speculation that the project was on — at last — picked up late last year after Val Kilmer, who played Cruise’s rival Iceman in the original film, said on Facebook that he’d been offered a role in a sequel. And in January, producer Jerry Bruckheimer tweeted a picture of himself with Cruise, saying “just got back from a weekend in New Orleans to see my old friend @TomCruise and discuss a little ‘Top Gun 2.'”

“Top Gun” starred Kelly McGillis, Kilmer, Anthony Edwards and Tom Skerritt and was released on May 16, 1986.

Although the film received mixed reviews when it was first released, it became a huge commercial hit, grossing $356 million although the movie was produced for only $15 million. It has since become a cult film and won an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Take my Breath Away” performed by Berlin.