Pete “Maverick” Mitchell’s most predictable story in Top Gun 3 can no longer happen because of Tom “Iceman” Kazansky’s return in Top Gun: Maverick. Tom Cruise revisited arguably his most iconic role in Tony Scott’s Top Gun after almost four decades in the Joseph Kosinski sequel for Paramount. Despite the long wait, Top Gun: Maverick proved worth all the wait as it ended up being both a critical and commercial success. So while there is currently no concrete indication that Top Gun 3 will happen, there’s a growing clamor for the threequel to happen.
Unlike its predecessor which was more of an ensemble film, Top Gun: Maverick put Maverick at the center of its storytelling. Decades after he finished his TOPGUN training, the sequel re-examined how his professional and personal life had panned out. Still haunted by some ghosts from his past, the movie forces Mitchell to finally confront them, especially when he started working with Rooster — the son of his former RIO, Goose. Top Gun: Maverick ended on a high note, which can double as the franchise’s send-off. If Top Gun 3 is to happen, however, it’s curious what lies ahead for Maverick.
Maverick Admitted To Iceman That He Can Never Be A TOPGUN Teacher
While Maverick remained a Navy Captain despite his piloting capabilities, his wingman, Iceman, had successfully climbed the ranks to become an Admiral. Top Gun: Maverick didn’t delve deep into how the former rivals’ relationship evolved since the original film, but it was made clear that they remained loyal to each other. In fact, every single time Maverick got in trouble, Iceman was there to back him up. Essentially, Kazansky was the only reason Mitchell could stay and work in the Navy. Top Gun: Maverick leaned into nostalgia, referencing many things from its 1986 predecessor. Maverick and Iceman’s conversation, however, was the sequel’s most emotional moment.
Aside from the scene’s ties to the past, it also informed the public of what lies ahead, at least for Maverick. During his earnest conversation, Mitchell tearfully admitted that he isn’t a teacher, emphasizing just how difficult it was for him to spearhead the mission at hand on the sidelines. So while becoming a TOPGUN instructor may seem like the best path for him forward career-wise in Top Gun 3, it would be difficult to force him into a position that he isn’t comfortable in.
Maverick’s Right – He Would Be A Terrible Teacher In Top Gun 3
Aside from not wanting to be a teacher, Maverick not being one in Top Gun 3 is arguably for the best because he won’t be good at it. Admittedly, this may seem contradictory considering how successful his Top Gun: Maverick mission was. Closely looking back at the events of the sequel, however, the biggest reason why they were able to carry out the mission boiled down to Maverick’s piloting skills. It wasn’t until Mitchell demonstrated that it can be done that his subordinates believed it was doable. Even then, they couldn’t proceed without him being the team leader, which only further highlighted that he is a fighter pilot and not a teacher.
Maverick was actually upfront about his capabilities during his conversation with Iceman about this. He just couldn’t impart his knowledge effectively without being in the box himself. Throughout his stint as a TOPGUN trainer, he was involved in dangerous training sessions, which could have led to a disastrous accident. Worse, he was ready to quit on his pilots at one point. Essentially, Maverick may seem like a good teacher on paper, but he lacks all the intangibles that are needed to be an effective one.
What Will Maverick’s Role Actually Be In Top Gun 3
Whether Maverick actually listens to Iceman’s advice about letting go is currently unknown. Solely basing on his story in Top Gun: Maverick, however, it doesn’t seem like he will always have a penchant for flying. As confirmed by his latest mission, it doesn’t seem like he has lost his edge as a fighter pilot decades after the events of the original Top Gun.
Depending on his relationship with the Navy following Iceman’s death in Top Gun: Maverick, he could be on-call for such dangerous missions. That being said, the best career path for the character is to be reinstated as a test pilot in Top Gun 3. Not only will he be able to continue pushing the limits of flying, he won’t need to constantly move elsewhere. This means that he can have a sustainable relationship with Penny and be always accessible to Rooster.