By Creative Media Times

It may have been a long road to production, but the sequel to the hugely successful 80s film is finally happening, the film’s star Tom Cruise himself announced on Twitter. “#Day1” the tweet says, officially confirming the start of “Top Gun: Maverick” production.

“Feel The Need,” it says on the picture of Maverick in fighter jet gear, looking back at a jet and holding a helmet. That caption is taken from one of the original film’s famous tagline “I feel the need, the need for speed.”

The actor revealed the title last year during an interview with Access Hollywood. “I don’t need a number, you don’t need a number,” Cruise said. Indeed, it is a perfectly fitting title, as it is one of his most recognizable film characters.

“Maverick” of course is Cruise’s character nickname in the 1986 film where he played LT Pete Mitchell, a reckless young naval aviator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. The global success of the original film made Cruise a bonafide star. After grossing $356m worldwide against a modest $15 million budget, it was the highest grossing film that year.

From there, Cruise went on to be come one the biggest stars in Hollywood, with successive blockbuster hits including a long the highly successful Mission Impossible franchise, the latest installment of which is set for release this summer.

The film is set to be directed by Joseph Kosinski. The director previously collaborated with Cruise on “Oblivion” and also directed “Only the Brave” and “Tron: Legacy.”

“Top Gun: Maverick” is set to fly on July 12, 2019.

#Day1 pic.twitter.com/7jjPL277Es

— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) May 31, 2018