'Top Gun 2' delayed one year, sequel moves to June 2020 release date

Bryan Alexander | USA TODAY

Paramount Studios has the need for a delay in the "Top Gun" sequel.

The studio dropped the bomb Wednesday that the release date for Tom Cruise's anticipated sequel "Top Gun: Maverick" would be delayed one year to June 26, 2020.

The movie was originally intended set to open in July 2019 and had begun early production this spring with plans to resume in September.

The extra time will give filmmakers the opportunity to work out the logistics of presenting flight sequences with new technology and planes, according to a Paramount statement.

News of the postponement came just one week after Jon Hamm and Ed Harris were added to the cast in unspecified roles.

Cruise, 56, signaled on May 30 that filming had begun on the sequel to his 1986 "Top Gun" with a Twitter post featuring the Ray-Bans, the Maverick helmet and a #Day1 "Feel the need" message.

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Cruise is due to reprise his role as hot shot pilot Pete "Maverick" Mitchell., now a flight instructor overseeing a diverse cast of pilots, including the first woman pilot (played by Monica Barbaro).

Miles Teller has been cast as one of the new pilots — the son of Maverick's deceased Radar Intercept Officer Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards).

"Maverick" will bring a reunion between Mitchell and his nemesis Tom "Iceman" Kazansky played by Val Kilmer. As late as this weekend, Kilmer was tweeting about his new "Iceman" action figure.

It's finally here... my custom Tom "Iceman" Kazansky Pop! figure. Took a while to get it right, but he has a hand-painted flight suit, mirrored aviators, & military haircut that puts a smile on my face. Love them. They never fail to make me happy. https://t.co/ytMvC99Aq3 pic.twitter.com/Qh54DuwlSy — Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) August 25, 2018

Fans expressed dismay over the delay on Twitter.