The Next Top Gun: Why an AI Villain is Perfect for Top Gun 3

The Long-Awaited Sequel

The anticipation for Top Gun 3 has reached a fever pitch, with fans eagerly awaiting the next installment in the iconic franchise. After the success of Top Gun: Maverick, the confirmation of another sequel has sparked speculation about the storyline and the potential threat that awaits Maverick and his fellow pilots.

Two enemy aircraft in Top Gun: Maverick

Top Gun: Maverick, released in July 2022, was a triumphant return for the beloved characters, showcasing Maverick's enduring spirit and his struggles with authority. The sequel left fans wondering about the future plot and the challenges that would test Maverick's legendary skills once again.

Custom image of Tom Cruise as Ethan Hunt juxtaposed with the Entity in Mission: Impossible 7.

A New Threat Emerges

The potential storyline for Top Gun 3 has sparked discussions about the kind of villain that could bring Maverick back into action. With Maverick finding a sense of fulfillment in Top Gun: Maverick, it will take a formidable and dramatic adversary to reignite the fire within him.

Monica Barbaro's Phoenix sits in a chair staring in Top Gun Maverick

One compelling idea that has surfaced is the introduction of a killer AI as the main antagonist. Drawing inspiration from Mission: Impossible 7, the plot of Top Gun 3 could center around the threat posed by an AI that has become too powerful, posing a unique challenge to Maverick and his team.

Tom Cruise as Maverick rides a motorcycle in Top Gun: Maverick.

A Relevant and Compelling Storyline

The original concept for Top Gun 2, proposed by the late Tony Scott, focused on the rise of drone warfare and the diminishing relevance of traditional pilots. This idea has gained renewed relevance in the context of Top Gun 3, as the potential threat of AI and advanced technology presents a real-life challenge for Maverick and his fellow pilots.

Rooster (Miles Teller) talks to Hangman (Glen Powell) in Top Gun Maverick

The portrayal of test pilots as a dying breed and the struggle against the encroachment of AI technology adds a compelling layer of realism to the storyline, making the stakes higher and the challenges more poignant for the characters.

The Darkstar plane moving onto the runway in Top Gun: Maverick

The Faceless Adversary

The Top Gun franchise has a tradition of keeping its villains nameless and faceless, allowing for a sense of anonymity and universality in its conflicts. Extending this tradition to an AI antagonist in Top Gun 3 would offer a fresh and relevant take on the concept of a faceless adversary, aligning with the series' approach to avoiding specific geopolitical references.

Tom Cruise getting into the Darkstar plane in Top Gun: Maverick

By featuring AI as the villain, Top Gun 3 can maintain its real-life relevance while steering clear of geopolitical specifics, providing a global audience with a compelling and relatable conflict that transcends national boundaries.