Tom Cruise in Top Gun
Red Air was the name of the unit of elite fighter pilot instructors in the 1986 hit movie Top Gun, starring Tom Cruise Paramount

Tom Cruise is feeling the need... the need for speed! The actor has finally confirmed that he is ready to get back into the cockpit of a US Navy fighter jet as one of his most famous characters, 'Maverick' Mitchell.

Speaking on the Australian morning show Sunrise, Cruise revealed that the sequel to Top Gun is "definitely happening".

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"It's true. It's true," he said. "I'm going to start filming it probably in the next year. I know. It's happening. It is definitely happening... you're the first people that I've said this to."

Fans of the 1986 hit movie have been waiting with bated breath for news about a possible follow-up film for a while now. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer lit the kindle when he posted a photo on Twitter in January 2016 with Cruise.

"Just got back from a weekend in New Orleans to see my old friend Tom Cruise and discuss a little Top Gun 2," he wrote alongside.

Val Kilmer, who played LT Tom 'Iceman' Kazanski, then added fuel to the fire during an "Ask me anything" session on Reddit in April, when he confirmed that he would be part of Top Gun 2. "Hell yes," he said, "and what a hoot it will be".

Despite all the green signals, industry insiders are sceptical of the film making it to cinemas in the near future. Rumours and talks regarding the sequel have been doing the rounds as early as in 2013.