Tom Cruise, while doing publicity for Rock of Ages, was asked about a Top Gun sequel and replied, “It would be fun getting into those jets. I want to fly those jets!” in a way that you think you’re imagining Tom Cruise saying it, but really you’re imagining Ben Stiller doing an impression of Tom Cruise saying it.

Val Kilmer, in a different, non-Rock of Ages interview, placed a big ole’ elephant in the room, then told everyone to ignore it as he claimed,”Sure, it would be fun. I’d have to get a haircut, but anything for the role!”

In that scenario, I imagine the interviewer beginning to choke, even though they weren’t eating anything at the time. In converse fashion, Kilmer would produce a giant bucket of sauce-laden meatballs which he would casually eat, and then the interview would end.

I’m hoping it picks up right where the original lets off, and Maverick hires a recovery team a la Titanic to search for his father’s dog tags “somewhere in the Indian Ocean.”

Regardless, it’s got a crack producing duo behind it in Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison, so chances are if these guys want it to get made, it will get made. Of course, the gazillion-dollar question is whether or not the man himself, Tom Cruise will be jumping in on this thing. He’s probably waiting for a script or treatment before rendering a decision, so expect the gears to turn slowly on this, but turn nonetheless.

And here are my free-association-style casting thoughts:

Viper: Tobey Maguire

Charlie: Gabourey Sidibe

Sundown: Tyler Perry

Jester: Dane Cook

Merlin: Gene Hackman

Slider: Jason Biggs

Iceman: Eddie Kaye Thomas

Goose: Alyson Hannigan

Paramount’s attempts to woo Tony Scott back for a Top Gun sequel were a success. Though it won’t be his next film, the director seems pretty excited to show off the nerdy side of the ‘new’ Navy.

"I’m not waiting for a script. I’m going to do my homework. I’m going down to I think it’s Fallon, Nevada, down near New Mexico and it’s a whole different world now… These computer geeks — these kids play war games in a trailer in Fallon, Nevada and if we ever wentto war or were in the Middle East or the Far East or wherever it is, these guys can actually fly drones. They are unmanned aircraft. They operate them and then they party all night."

Without any actual pilots, the story has nothing at stake. The drama of the original Top Gun was watching Maverick push himself to his limits and beyond in the cockpit. Now the biggest challenge is going to be watching Taylor Lautner get video game thumb. Which, in all fairness, does really hurt. (HitFix)

_{Smack dab in the middle of the Danger Zone.}

27-year-old billionaire financier David Ellison loves two things most in this world: counting money and flying. He helped finance and starred in the film Flyboys, and now he wants to head down the highway to the Danger Zone with Top Gun 2. Vulture reports that Paramount is pitching the sequel to Tony Scott, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tom Cruise knowing full well that Ellison will pick up a huge chunk of the tab.

The studio has also talked with Christopher McQuarrie about writing the script. McQuarrie and Cruise are BFFs after working together on Valkyrie. The original Maverick has agreed to a small part in the film, "provided it’s not too ‘obvious’ a part." Looks like flying jets is out. Damn, that would have been a really cool way to see Maverick. Maybe he can just repair the new pilot’s motorcycle and offer sage advice. No word yet if Val Kilmer, the Ice Man himself, will be involved in the project. If he wants a not too obvious part he could try out for the tarmac.