‘Top Gun’ sequel will finally film in San Diego in late September

San Diego has been waiting for signs or sightings of Tom Cruise’s return to the city after a short appearance at Naval Air Station North Island in May that marked the beginning of the filming of the sequel to “Top Gun.”

Well we have breaking news, folks. A spokesperson for San Diego’s film office has confirmed that there will indeed by filming done locally starting in late September and going into October. It will last for about a month.

Would you rather listen to this story? Check out our podcast.

“Top Gun: Maverick” has been in discussions for years, but it wasn’t until Cruise’s surprise appearance, confirmed in a photo Cruise shared on social media himself with Maverick’s helmet in hand, that the follow-up to the 1986 classic began to seem real.

We’ve been watching high and low for news and information about how San Diego — home to a number of scene locations from the original film — might play a role in the sequel, what the plot may contain and other factors which could hint at what the movie will be about.

Here’s what we‘ve discovered.

When will filming begin?

The Navy Times has reported that Cruise’s appearance in San Diego in May was an effort to meet a June 1 deadline for a California financial grant. The Navy Times also reported that the Navy has already reviewed an initial script for the film.

It appeared in May that Cruise was riding a motorcycle along an air strip, per this footage obtained by TMZ.

On Aug. 21, The Virginia Pilot reported that a 15-person crew from Paramount Pictures and Bruckheimer Films was aboard the Norfolk, Virginia-based USS Abraham Lincoln filming footage of air operations with F/A-18 Super Hornets taking off and landing on the flight deck, but no actors were involved.

A Navy spokesperson told the newspaper it was one of “many aircraft carrier embarks planned pierside and at sea on both coasts,” so that could be a good indicator that some filming may take place here in San Diego or other locations on the West Coast.

San Diego’s film office was tight-lipped and isn’t sharing specific details about the filming that will take place locally, but we did find out from the Navy that it will last for about one month on Naval Air Station North Island. The San Diego Union-Tribune will report any new information as we get it.

If you see or here anything about filming in San Diego, send an email to abby.hamblin@sduniontribune.com.

Has the cast been announced?

Cruise, of course, will reprise his role as “Maverick.” The plot is expected to follow him in a new era as a flight instructor.

Miles Teller has been tapped to play the son of Nick “Goose” Bradshaw, a fan favorite from the original “Top Gun” film.

Val Kilmer will return as Tom “Iceman” Kazansky, which Cruise confirmed in an interview with Jimmy Fallon in July.

Jennifer Connelly has been reported by Variety to have the role believed to be a single mother who runs a bar near the air base where the film is set.

Perhaps that means another San Diego restaurant will get a shot at being in the film? It’s certainly helped Kansas City Barbeque get some foot traffic and business over the years.

USA Today reports that the cast will also include Jon Hamm and Ed Harris, although there’s no word on what their roles may be.

As of Aug. 21, Deadline has listed Thomasin McKenzie, Charles Parnell, Jay Ellis, Bashir Salahuddin, Danny Ramirez and Monica Barbaro as playing pilots and engineers in the film. USA Today has reported that Barbaro will play a female pilot, a love interest of Teller’s character.

Glen Powell, a star of Netflix’s recent “Set It Up,” is also reportedly involved. The Hollywood Reporter says he was originally in consideration for the part of Goose’s son but will instead play another role.

When will the film be released?

Sadly, the initially reported release date of July 12, 2019 has been changed. “Top Gun: Maverick” now won’t be released until June 26, 2020.