Tom Cruise has reportedly presented a staggering salary demand for his next blockbuster movie.
According to Radar Online, the 62-year-old actor and film producer is seeking an upfront payment of $35 million to $40 million to reprise his role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in a third installment of Top Gun.
Hollywood sources have indicated that this “colossal ask” is currently impeding the film’s development. The studio is actively working on a script and intends to engage in discussions with Cruise later this year, despite their preference to secure him before the fall.
The insider stated, “The current status of the third Top Gun movie is that they are working on the script at the studio level.”
“When it’s ready for Tom’s thoughts and input, it will be presented to him, and hopefully he will agree to make the movie and put it on his schedule,” they added.
“His salary is still going to be subject to negotiation if and when he does commit. But it is so large it could honestly tank the whole franchise, as it’s doubtful he will allow it to continue without him – and he has big enough clout in Hollywood to make that happen.”
The sources further shared that “it’s going to be a different deal structure for the third film,” explaining that “Tom gave Paramount a discount on his salary for the last movie, but he made a killing on his profit participation because the movie was bigger than anybody imagined.”
“Tom has more than proven himself worthy in this role of an upfront salary between $35 to 40 million,” the insiders remarked.
It is worth noting that if Top Gun 3 proceeds, filming might commence in spring 2026, with a theatrical release tentatively scheduled for May 2027.
