It’s the third anniversary of Joseph Kosinski’s Top Gun: Maverick! The film was an explosive and heart-felt sequel to beloved 1986 fighter jet action classic Top Gun. We loved the storytelling that gave us parallels to the original film and explored both new and old relationship dynamics that that hit us directly in the feels. However, it’s the new characters, and therefore their actors that remain in the back of our minds when we think about this film. Because they’re memorable for the fresh air they provided in an already popular and iconic franchise.
We aren’t the only ones that have kept a close eye on Rooster (Miles Teller), Phoenix (Monica Barbaro), Hangman (Glen Powell), Bob (Lewis Pullman), Fanboy (Danny Ramirez), and Javy (Greg Tarzan Davis). Tom Cruise, the franchise’s leading man, is the shoulder for his cast of industry newcomers to lean on. Whenever they need his advice or guidance, he’s there. It’s a sentiment that Monica Barbaro confirmed herself in interviews.
Tom Cruise can’t be everywhere at the same time. His dagger squad are now all over our TV and movie theater screens. And we’re not complaining about their rise to stardom. Because we’re here to tell you what’s next for the Top Gun: Maverick cast in 2025 and beyond.
Miles Teller
Miles Teller had a large boot to fill as Rooster in Top Gun: Maverick. His character was the son of Maverick’s (Cruise) deceased best friend, Goose, who died in the first film. He was the co-protagonist as the film showcased his estranged family dynamic with Maverick. And he succeeded in throwing our emotions for a loop as his carelessness to study under Maverick turned into genuine love for the man he thought of as an uncle once upon a time.
You can see him leading Apple TV+’s ‘The Gorge’ with Anna Taylor-Joy. The film is available to stream now!
Oscar-nominated Monica Barbaro
Fresh off her first “Best Supporting Actress” Oscar nomination for playing Joan Baez in ‘A Complete Unknown’, Monica Barbaro has flown to new heights as one of Hollywood’s rising stars. The passion she holds for her work is evident as she learned to professionally sing and play guitar to play Baez. Such dedication to embody characters is a trait she shares with Tom Cruise. Which can only work in her favor.
Currently, you can see her in Netflix’s ‘FUBAR‘ as she co-leads the show with action icon Arnold Schwarzenegger. The second season is set to premiere on June 12th. She’s also in the ensemble alongside Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry of Amazon’s upcoming thriller ‘Crime 101’ set to release in theaters on February 13th, 2026. To sit alongside major stars this early in her career has set her up for greatness.
The Glen Powell Phenomenon
Having received his first Golden Globe nomination for screenplay in co-writing the Netflix romcom thriller ‘Hitman’ (2024), Glen Powell has begun to solidify his name in behind-the-camera work. He’s everywhere on both small and big screens. He’s beloved by audiences everywhere on social media. We adore and trust him because we know that if he’s attached to a project, we’re promised two hours well-spent. Not only for playing intriguing yet charming characters, but for the love we know he put into the role.
Powell has a deep admiration for movies, but also for the work and craft that goes into them. You can catch him next in Hulu’s ‘Chad Powers’, a comedy based on the tale of the real-life football player, which is set to premiere later this year. He leads the new adaptation of Stephen King’s thriller ‘The Running Man’ directed by Edgar Wright, set to release in theaters on November 21st, 2025.
MORE: Glen Powell asked for Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Blessing to Star In ‘The Running Man’!
Marvel’s Newest Duo
Danny Ramirez and Lewis Pullman had become best friends while filming Top Gun: Maverick, which makes the announcement that their MCU characters will be joining the cast of the next ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ film thrilling for us. Because we already know how goofy and lovable their off-screen personalities are around each other. While their characters differ from the other, it’ll be a shame to pass up the opportunity to put these two in a scene together. They’re already great actors on their own, so they wouldn’t need the interaction to get everyone talking, but still. Let these real-life best friends interact.
Ramirez’s Joaquin ‘Falcon’ Torres (‘Captain America: Brave New World’) and Pullman’s Bob ‘Sentry’ Reynolds (Thunderbolts*) are hopefully going to share the screen for the first time in December 2026.
In the meantime, you can currently see Danny Ramirez in Season 2 of HBO’s ‘The Last of Us’ and Lewis Pullman as Sentry in Marvel’s ‘Thunderbolts*’ now playing in theaters. We should all start preparing to see more of these two in the biggest franchise in Hollywood as key parts to the story.
MORE: Read our review of ‘Captain America: A Brave New World‘!
Is It Impossible to Get a Third Top Gun Film?
Greg Tarzan Davis (Javy) can be seen alongside Tom Cruise in the last installment of ‘Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning‘ as Ethan Hunt’s new team member Degas. His charm is ever present and makes you remain glued to the screen every time he’s on. We hope to see him in more projects.
In a recent interview to promote the film, director Christopher McQuarrie revealed that the main writer behind Top Gun: Maverick, Ehren Kruger, had already pitched a storyline for the third film. McQuarrie confessed that the framework is there for Top Gun 3. We’re unbelievably excited for the possibility of another film!
