Tom Cruise confirms ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ title: ‘I didn’t want a number’

Hollywood star Tom Cruise decided Friday was right to confirm the title to his upcoming “Top Gun” sequel.

A promotional interview for Mr. Cruise’s soon-to-be-release remake of “The Mummy” eventually turned to his return to the skies as an elite fighter pilot. The actor disclosed some promising details for long-time fans, along with the film’s title: “Top Gun: Maverick.”

“We’re going to have the same tone that we had from the first one,” the actor told Access Hollywood’s Scott Evans. “Stylistically, it’s going to be the same. We’re going to have the same score from Harold Faltermeyer. I can tell you that.”

Mr. Cruise refused to answer a question about drones, although he did so with a coy smile.

“Aviators are back. The need for speed — we’re going to have big fast machines,” he said. “It’s going to be a competition film like the first one. It’s going to be in the same vein, the same tone, as the first one, but a progression for Marverick. It’s not going to be called ’Top Gun 2.’  It’s called ’Top Gun: Maverick.’ I didn’t want a number. You know what I mean? You don’t need a number.”

The original “Top Gun” was directed by Tony Scott and went on to gross more than $350 million worldwide.

Mr. Cruise’s take on “The Mummy,” directed by Alex Kurtzman, opens in North America June 9.