Tom Cruise is desperate to get in a jet again for Top Gun 2

Since it officially entered development in 2010, Top Gun 2 makes the headlines a few times every year. Whether it's a producer or actor teasing the sequel's status, the idea continues to stoke our curiosity. It's little wonder - everyone loves a good sequelboot, don't they? But now it looks as though we really may be on the cusp of seeing Maverick take to the skies once again.

Producer Jerry Bruckheimer is the culprit this time around, confirming that discussions have begun with Tom Cruise:

Cruise is also keen to get back in one a jet, as long as it's the real deal... “I’d like to fly those jets again. But we’ve got to do all the jets practical. No CGI on the jets. I remember when I did the first one, I said ‘Look, in my contract I had to have three flights in the F-14.’ And it had to be in the film, a shot from that. So we had to film it. And luckily they wanted me bad enough to do it, so I was able to do that. I’m saying right now – no CGI on the jets.”

The Iceman himself Val Kilmer also took to Facebook last year, confirming that he'd been offered a part in the movie shortly after plot details emerged from producer David Ellison. He revealed that a script is being written by The Jungle Book's Justin Marks that will update the story to involve the current drone climate. And in particular, Maverick's dislike toward those unmanned aircraft.

Deadline's sources suggest that Bruckheimer flew to visit Cruise to talk over a potential plot line, adding that the sequel is the closest it's ever been to entering production.

Images: Paramount