Tom Cruise’s $1.5B War Sequel: Blueprint for Ryan Gosling’s Star Wars?

The universe has basically followed its own unique course from the very beginning. Many elements of this franchise have been influenced by other films and series, such as how “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” (1977) drew inspiration from “Flash Gordon,” “The Lord of the Rings,” and even “Star Trek.” Real history also played a part in shaping the franchise, with shows like “Andor” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016) showcasing resemblances to the era of nuclear proliferation within the “Star Wars” universe. Most movies and series in this franchise have been inspired by other media, except for the sequel trilogy, which mainly built upon the original three films.

It’s been quite some time since a new Star Wars film graced the big screen following the conclusion of the sequel trilogy. Since The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Lucasfilm has primarily been dedicating its resources to producing popular Disney+ series, such as The Mandalorian, Andor, and the revival of Star Wars: The Clone Wars’ seventh season. This shift has kept Star Wars off the silver screen since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the movie industry evolves, Star Wars finds itself as an unproven entity in this new era of films. However, there is one franchise that could serve as inspiration for the next Star Wars film.

Top Gun: Maverick Was a Massive Success

The $1.5 Billion Movie Seemingly Saved Hollywood

Title	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Global Box Office
Top Gun (1986)	$180 million	$177 million	$357 million
Top Gun Maverick (2022)	$718 million	$735 million	$1.5 billion

36 years after the iconic movie “Top Gun” (1986) raked in a staggering $357 million ($1 billion in today’s value) on a minimal budget of $15 million ($44 million now), Tom Cruise reprised his role for a 2022 blockbuster release. The film echoed many themes from the original, bringing back Cruise as the rebellious Captain “Maverick” Mitchell. Maverick, an exceptional aviator, was tasked with mentoring the new crop of pilots. This group included Miles Teller as Lieutenant Rooster, Glen Powell as Lieutenant Hangman, Monica Barbaro as Lieutenant Phoenix, and numerous other talented young fighter pilots. The movie proved to be a massive box office success, amassing almost $1.5 billion against a production cost of $175 million.

The movie “Top Gun: Maverick” marked a revival at the box office following a series of flops from March 2020 to Summer 2022. Films like “Wonder Woman 1984”, earning only $170 million against a budget of $200 million in 2020, and “The Suicide Squad” facing similar struggles in 2021 were among the failures. The exceptions during this period were “Spider-Man: No Way Home” from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which grossed $1.8 billion, and “No Time to Die”, a Bond film that earned $774 million. Post its release, the box office scene witnessed a significant boost.

The movie’s success can be attributed to various factors such as a well-known property, a long-awaited narrative, and nostalgic references to characters that had been absent for decades. However, what truly sets it apart is a trait that the Star Wars universe should consider adopting in future productions.

The Star Wars Franchise Should Learn From Top Gun

Star Wars: Starfighter Can Borrow Maverick’s Template

Following “The Mandalorian and Grogu,” Lucasfilm plans to create a film starring Ryan Gosling, scheduled for release on May 28, 2027. Shawn Levy, known for directing films like “Deadpool” and “Wolverine,” will helm this project. The creators have clarified that this won’t be a sequel or prequel but a fresh, unique storyline with brand-new characters and an entirely original plot. This departure marks a significant shift from the franchise’s usual focus on the Skywalker Saga, which often includes Anakin, Luke, and Leia Skywalker. Unlike previous installments that frequently featured the original trilogy’s cast, this production will be completely independent.

For the upcoming revival of “Star Wars: Starfighter,” there’s a chance for the series to draw inspiration from fresh resources, much like how the success of “Maverick” suggests lessons can be gleaned from the “Top Gun” franchise. With this knowledge, “Star Wars” could reclaim its status as a box office powerhouse by adopting a narrative structure where a starfighter pilot leads a group of rookie cadets on a perilous mission. In this scenario, Gosling and a cadet might find themselves stranded behind enemy lines, a plot device that has proven effective in the past.

Similar to the sequel trilogy, “Top Gun” capitalized on nostalgia and cameos upon its 2022 return to theaters. However, it also offered something else that “Starfighter” could emulate: an emphasis on authentic stunts, outstanding performances, and crisp scriptwriting. The ensemble cast of both familiar and rising stars, coupled with experienced actors who skillfully guided and drove an emotionally resonant story, is a formula worth considering for the success of “Starfighter.

If the growth of Star Wars is to continue, it might benefit from a strategy similar to its past approach. This is because it had success with lesser-known actors like Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) who later gained widespread fame after joining the series. However, Ryan Gosling is already a globally recognized actor, having starred in films such as La La Land (2016), Barbie (2023), and The Notebook (2004). His participation could lend additional support to less established actors by sharing the spotlight with them.

In essence, the upcoming film titled Starfighter might draw inspiration from the plot of Maverick. Given its focus on fighter pilots in space, it’s likely to showcase stuntwork similar to that seen in Maverick. However, it will also lean towards a more sci-fi and fantasy genre, while maintaining practical effects and impressive choreography reminiscent of the original. If it manages to captivate audiences with its action, then it’s bound to be successful. But if it can also deliver a well-written script and an engaging storyline, it could potentially surpass the $1 billion mark at the box office.

Star Wars Needs To Try Something New in Theaters

The Movies Have Been Struggling

Although the Star Wars franchise has experienced dips in popularity in the past, it’s currently facing a more pronounced slump. Shows like Andor and The Mandalorian have presented an opportunity to delve deeper into the universe, but the films seem stuck within the confines of the Skywalker Saga. Despite their continued success, they haven’t managed to replicate the magic of the original movies. Interestingly, a chart demonstrates the steady decrease in box office earnings for each film in the sequel trilogy.

Title	Domestic Box Office	International Box Office	Worldwide Box Office
The Force Awakens (2015)	$937 million	$1.1 billion	$2 billion
The Last Jedi (2017)	$620 million	$714 million	$1.3 billion
The Rise of Skywalker (2019)	$515 million	$562 million	$1 billion

The initial Star Wars film in a decade, “The Force Awakens,” received immense box office attention, as expected. Unfortunately, the sequel didn’t garner as much interest, earning $1.3 billion contrasted with $2 billion for its predecessor. Despite an impressive $1 billion earnings, it was relatively disappointing compared to the previous installment. Interestingly, across the three films, the total earnings were nearly halved for each release. This underperformance is concerning for the franchise’s future. To recoup losses, particularly when releasing a movie not part of the Skywalker Saga, emphasis must be placed on quality. After all, “Rise of Skywalker” and “The Last Jedi” struggled to entertain due to notable issues with their writing quality.

Starfighter” could draw inspiration from the blueprint laid out by “Top Gun: Maverick“. Adhering to this approach would likely lead to success and potentially breathe new life into a flagging franchise.

2025-05-02 03:06