Maverick Can't Catch a Break. 'Top Gun' Sequel Delayed Again to November 2021

"Top Gun: Maverick," the long-awaited sequel to the 1986 classic "Top Gun," has been delayed yet again from a July 2, 2021, theatrical release to Nov. 19, 2021. Theaters are opening now around the country, but Paramount Pictures and the movie's producer and star Tom Cruise must have looked at the recent COVID bump and slow vaccination numbers and decided (again) to wait.

That's the Friday before Thanksgiving, so they're looking for a huge opening for the film. The movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski ("Oblivion," "Tron: Legacy"), sees Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell (Cruise) operating as an instructor at Top Gun school and imparting his reckless ways to a new generation of aviators.

The bad news for Cruise doesn't stop there. Nov. 19 was the scheduled release date for "Mission: Impossible 7," so that movie is now moved to Memorial Day next year with a May 27, 2022, release. The dominoes keep falling, with "Mission: Impossible 8" moving from Nov. 4, 2022, to July 7, 2023.

Looking for some good news? Paramount has actually moved a movie to an earlier date. "Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins" will now be released on July 23, 2021, instead of Oct. 22.

Of course, all plans may be affected by COVID. Movie releases and concert dates will continue to be subject to change, and we won't have full capacity at sporting events until we get past this ongoing crisis.

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