Christopher McQuarrie Confirms Top Gun 3’s Story Is “Already in the Bag”

Development on Top Gun 3 is gaining altitude fast. Writer-producer Christopher McQuarrie has confirmed that the creative engine behind the next chapter in the Top Gun franchise is already firing on all cylinders. In an interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, McQuarrie revealed that the story is not only conceived—it’s structurally in place.

“It’s already in the bag. Yeah, I already know what it is,” McQuarrie said, speaking to host Josh Horowitz. What began as a brainstorming session with co-writer Ehren Kruger turned into a surprisingly swift breakthrough. “It wasn’t hard. I thought it would be… and Ehren Kruger pitched something and I went, ‘Mhm actually,’ and we had one conversation about it and the framework is there.”

That’s not to say it’s all smooth sailing from here. McQuarrie was quick to point out that while ideas might flow easily, execution is another beast entirely. “The truth of the matter is, none of these are hard to crack. It’s as you start to execute it, and as you start to interrogate it… It’s not the action… it’s the emotion.”

This emotional emphasis was also central to Top Gun: Maverick. McQuarrie referenced the film’s narrative tension between Maverick and Rooster as a key emotional anchor. That same weight is expected to carry through into the third installment, even if specifics remain under wraps.

Though no formal production start date has been publicly confirmed, actor Glen Powell hinted last summer that he might already have a date circled. Tom Cruise, meanwhile, has kept his cards close to the chest, suggesting that the creative team is still “exploring different ideas.”

What is clear is that McQuarrie, Kruger, and returning director Joseph Kosinski have struck a strong collaborative rhythm. With Cruise, Powell, and Miles Teller expected to reprise their roles, Top Gun 3 appears to be entering its next phase with purpose.

McQuarrie’s update marks a promising sign for fans: this isn’t just idle chatter anymore—it looks like the gears are turning.

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