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The much-anticipated sequel to the iconic 2022 film,Top Gun: Maverick, is set in motion, and there’s plenty of buzz surrounding it. With Tom Cruise reprising his role as Maverick and a new generation of pilots entering the fray, the sequel promises to be an action-packed thrill ride.

One of the most intriguing aspects of the third flickis the mystery surrounding Glen Powell’s character, known as Hangman. While details about him have been kept tightly under wraps, there are some fascinating theories floating around that suggest he could be the son of Val Kilmer’s character, Iceman.
The resemblance between Powell and Kilmer is uncanny, both physically and in terms of personality. Powell’s cocky and competitive demeanor in the trailers mirrors a young Kilmer in the originalTop Gun.if this theory is true, we could again see Kilmer reprising his role in the upcomingTop Gun 3.

Unveiling the UnrealizedTop GunSequel Plot Twist Involving Tom Cruise & Val Kilmer
AsTop Gunfans eagerly await the release of the third movie, speculation & theories continue to swirl around the potential plot twists and character developments. There is this one curious theory that has caught the attention of fans: the idea that Hangman, played byGlen Powell, could actuallybe the son of Iceman, assumed byVal Kilmer.
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The resemblance between Powell and Kilmer is striking, with both actors sharing similar physical features such as face and eye shape, as well as lighter hair. Additionally,Top Gun: Maverick’s marketing has framed Hangman as a cocky rival toTom Cruise’s Maverick, reminiscent of a young Iceman from the original flick.
Given that Iceman was not in the original sequel story, the writers may have managed to include him in a limited role with a significant impact by possibly introducing his son. It is noteworthy that even though he was not originally expected to be inTop Gun: Maverick,Kilmer apparently went above and beyond to be a part of it (viaScreen Rant). His belated addition to the sequel may have influenced Powell’s expanded role, leading to speculation that Hangman could indeed be Iceman’s son.

If the theory holds true, the idea of Hangman being Iceman’s familymakes sense forTop Gun: Maverick.Maverick’s reluctance to change and move on from the past could conflict with the idea of him being a father figure, whereas Iceman’s character could be more flexible for this storyline.
With the potential for Powell and Miles Teller’s character, Rooster, to become the faces of the franchise moving forward,Top Gun 3could pave the way for a whole new chapter in the Navy-centered film series. Who knows what thefuture holds for Maverick, Iceman, and their talented offspring?

Flying High Again:Top Gun 3Production Updates & News
Fans ofTop Gun 3will not have to wait long for the third entry in the Tom Cruise-starrer series.The Hollywood Reporterclaimed that the forthcoming flick is currently in development at Paramount, with Glen Powell, Cruise, and Miles Teller set to reprise their roles.
Although the film has been in production since late 2023, audiences will not be able to watch it for some time. Right now, Cruise is working nonstop on the eighthMission: Impossiblefilm, which will keep him occupied until its May 2025 release.

It is still unknown if Val Kilmer, who starred with Cruise in the firstTop Gunfilm and later rejoined him inTop Gun: Maverick, will work on the project. However, the latter was content enough for Kilmer to simply make an appearance in the second film.
Cruise stated in 2022 onJimmy Kimmel Live!:
That was pretty emotional. I’ve known Val for decades. For him to come back and play that character… He’s such a powerful actor, that he instantly became that character again.
Sure, as we eagerly await the release of the sequel toTop Gun: Maverick, the mystery surrounding Hangman and his possible connection to Iceman adds an exciting element to the mix.
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Will the above-explored theory prove to be true, or will the filmmakers have something entirely different in store for us? Either way, we can’t wait to strap in and take flight when the sequel lands in theaters.
Top Gun: Maverickis now available on Paramount+.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3309
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.