Val Kilmer is returning for "Top Gun 2" and will reprise his role as Iceman, the skilled fighter pilot who became an icon through his classic one-liners in the 1986 original film, The Hollywood Reported noted.
The first "Top Gun" helped elevate both Kilmer and Tom Cruise's acting careers, with the two actors playing on-screen rivals-come-buddies after earning each other's respect.
Cruise officially revealed last year that a second installment to the film was in the pipeline, and Kilmer announced that he would once again play the role of Iceman, whose onscreen name was Tom Kazansky.
However, the hype soon dissipated in the months following the initial excitement and even when Cruise announced the start of production for the new film, "Top Gun: Maverick," last week, it was unclear whether Kilmer would be included.
However, on Wednesday The Wrap reported that the actor had officially made the cut.
An anonymous source with knowledge of the production confirmed that Kilmer and Cruise would be appearing alongside one another for the upcoming film, set to be released on July 12, 2019.
Directed by Joseph Kosinski, the film will be set in the current time and deals with the ways in which drone technology is making flying with pilots increasingly obsolete.
And while a rep for Paramount has declined to comment on Kilmer's involvement, there have been sightings of him hanging out at the San Diego hotel the studio has been using since production began last week, The Wrap said.
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