Actor Val Kilmer sadly passed away in April 2025 due to complications with his health. Kilmer was best known for his performance as Batman in Batman Forever and appeared in both installments of the Tom Cruise-led Top Gun franchise.
A third film in the franchise has been reported to be in development for a while now, but Kilmer’s sad passing might affect its progress. While there is no telling whether the actor would’ve returned for the threequel despite his character’s fate, the actor’s passing could impact Cruise’s character.
After Kilmer’s death, I am convinced that there is only one viable option for Maverick’s storyline in the third installment, and most fans will agree with it. Here is what I think should happen with Tom Cruise’s Maverick in Top Gun 3, especially after Val Kilmer’s demise.
Tom Cruise should retire Maverick in Top Gun 3 after Val Kilmer’s tragic passing
Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer appeared as rival pilots Pete “Maverick” Mitchell and Tom “Iceman” Kazansky in the critically and commercially successful 1986 action drama film Top Gun. The duo also returned for the 2022 sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, with Kilmer having a small role.
The second installment primarily focused on Maverick training a group of younger Top Gun graduates for a dangerous mission while dealing with his complicated past. The film was a blockbuster and led to conversations of a third installment, which was reportedly in development as of early 2024 (via Variety).
Following his exploits with the younger pilots and coming to terms with his past, it is safe to say that the third installment will be a swansong for Cruise’s character. Moreover, with Kilmer’s passing, it is only right that Maverick finally retires from the field as good, completely trusting the next generation.
The rise of the next generation of Top Gun pilots was a major plot point in the sequel, especially in scenes between Kilmer and Cruise, which had the underlying theme of embracing the future and letting go of the past. Hence, there cannot be a better tribute for Kilmer than Cruise’s Maverick retiring for good.
Val Kilmer’s appearance in Top Gun: Maverick becomes even sadder after his death
Kilmer was diagnosed with cancer in the mid-2010s and struggled with the disease in the later portions of his life. Although he had reportedly been cancer-free since 2020 (via Newsweek). However, the actor sadly passed away on April 1, 2025, due to pneumonia.
Despite a tracheotomy surgery affecting his voice (via BBC), Kilmer reprised his role as Iceman in the 2022 sequel to Top Gun. The film ended up being Kilmer’s final film appearance before his passing almost three years later. However, his character’s fate in the movie becomes even sadder now that the actor is no longer with us.
In the film, Kilmer’s Iceman dies from terminal cancer, but not before setting Maverick on the course to reconcile with his past. Given Kilmer’s past battle with cancer, which he had overcome, and his later passing due to health-related reasons, Iceman’s fate feels even more tragic. As a result, we can only pray for Kilmer’s family and loved ones during this difficult period and keep them in our thoughts.
Top Gun: Maverick is streaming on Paramount+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
