Nicholas Hoult and Miles Teller in line to play Goose's son in 'Top Gun 2'

British actor Nicholas Hoult and Miles Teller are the frontrunners to play the son of Maverick’s tragic wingman Goose in Top Gun 2.

Hidden Figures and Expendables star Glen Powell is also being considered for the role, which is said to be central to the long-awaited sequel, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Top Gun 2 will find Tom Cruise’s flight instructor Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell mentoring son of Goose.

In the first movie Goose, played by Anthony Edwards, is tragically killed during a training exercise, which Maverick then blames himself for.

We even get a glimpse of the infant Goose Jr, with his father and his on-screen mum Meg Ryan, during the Great Balls of Fire bar scene.

Cruise, and producers Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison, have reportedly been testing actors for the role for ‘several weeks’ in Clearwater, Florida, where Cruise lives.

But now the shortlist is down to Hoult, Teller and Powell.

Joseph Kosinski, who directed Cruise in Oblivion, is behind the camera, while Val Kilmer will also be returning as Maverick’s former rival Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky.

Legendary composer Harold Faltermeyer will be back on score duties too (though there’s not word yet on Kenny Loggins).

The original movie, helmed by the late Tony Scott, was released in 1986, and was an instant smash.

This new film is thought to be taking on the world of drone pilots and how it has changed the face of dog fighting and aerial warfare.

Cruise recently posted a teaser on Twitter, signalling the start of production on the movie.

It’s due for release in July, 2019.

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