Maria Chen spent 14 months working on "Top Gun: Maverick." As a camera technician based in San Diego, she was part of the massive below-the-line crew that made the film's groundbreaking aerial sequences possible — work that required specialized training, long hours coordinating with Naval aviators, and a level of practical filmmaking that has become increasingly rare in an era of green screens and digital effects.

When Paramount Pictures announced Thursday at CinemaCon that a third Top Gun film is officially in development, with a script currently being written, Chen's phone lit up with messages from fellow crew members. The news meant potential work, yes, but also uncertainty about scale, timeline, and whether the production would again employ the practical filming techniques that made the 2022 sequel both a critical darling and a massive commercial success.

"These big productions create ecosystems," Chen said in a phone interview. "When Maverick filmed here, it wasn't just the direct crew. It was hotels, catering companies, equipment rentals, local businesses. But you never know if that's coming back until contracts are actually signed."

The confirmation of "Top Gun 3" comes as the entertainment industry continues to reckon with fundamental questions about how blockbusters get made, who benefits from their production, and what these mega-budget films mean for regional film economies and specialized crew employment.

The Maverick Effect

"Top Gun: Maverick" grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide when it was released in 2022, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of all time and earning six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. More significantly for industry observers, it demonstrated that practical effects and location shooting could still draw audiences in an era dominated by CGI spectacle.

According to the California Film Commission, the production employed more than 1,400 crew members during its principal photography, with significant portions filmed at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego and other locations across California and Nevada. The production's commitment to putting actors in real fighter jets — rather than relying primarily on visual effects — required extensive coordination with the U.S. Navy and specialized training for cast and crew alike.

That approach created work for camera operators, aerial coordinators, safety specialists, and other skilled technicians whose expertise has been less in demand as Hollywood has shifted toward volume stages and digital production methods.

"Maverick was a throwback in the best way," said James Torres, a aerial coordinator who worked on the film. "It required real expertise, real problem-solving. You can't fake that kind of coordination."

Below-the-Line Uncertainty

But the announcement of a third film also highlights the precarious nature of employment in the film industry, particularly for below-the-line workers whose livelihoods depend on production cycles they cannot control or predict.

Industry-wide, film and television employment has been volatile in recent years. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, motion picture and video production employment peaked in early 2022 before declining through much of 2023 and 2024 amid strikes, streaming contraction, and shifting production strategies. While employment has stabilized somewhat in recent months, the industry remains well below its pandemic-era peak.

For specialized crew members who work on tentpole productions, the gaps between projects can stretch for months or even years. The original "Top Gun" was released in 1986; "Maverick" didn't arrive until 2022. Even with a script now in development, "Top Gun 3" likely won't begin principal photography until 2027 at the earliest, and possibly later depending on star Tom Cruise's famously packed schedule and the production's technical requirements.

"People think these announcements mean work is coming tomorrow," said Lisa Ramirez, a business representative for IATSE Local 600, the cinematographers guild. "The reality is there's years between 'script in development' and actual production. Crew members have to find other work, maintain their skills, hope the project actually happens."

Regional Competition

The confirmation of "Top Gun 3" also raises questions about where the film will actually be produced — a decision with significant implications for regional film economies.

While "Maverick" filmed extensively in California, the state's film industry has faced increasing competition from jurisdictions offering more generous tax incentives. Georgia, Louisiana, New Mexico, and other states have aggressively courted major productions, as have international locations like the United Kingdom and Australia.

California has expanded its own film tax credit program in recent years, but the competition remains fierce. According to a 2025 report from FilmLA, the nonprofit that coordinates film permits in the Los Angeles area, feature film production in the region remains below pre-pandemic levels, with many major productions opting for locations with more favorable financial incentives.

"Every major production is essentially a bidding war now," said Paul Audley, president of FilmLA. "Studios are making location decisions based on tax credits, labor costs, available infrastructure. The creative considerations are still there, but the financial calculus has become more important."

For "Top Gun 3," the production's unique requirements — including likely coordination with the U.S. Navy and access to military installations — may limit location options in ways that benefit California and other states with major naval facilities. But nothing is guaranteed until production deals are finalized.

The Cruise Factor

Any discussion of "Top Gun 3" must also account for Tom Cruise, whose commitment to practical stunts and location shooting has become a defining feature of his recent work. The actor's insistence on performing his own stunts and filming in real locations has created work for specialized crew members while also raising questions about production timelines and budgets.

Cruise's "Mission: Impossible" franchise has similarly embraced practical filmmaking, with recent installments filming elaborate sequences in locations around the world. That approach creates employment opportunities but also extends production schedules and increases costs — factors that studios must weigh against potential box office returns.

"Tom's commitment to practical filmmaking is great for certain types of crew work," Torres said. "But it also means these productions take longer, cost more, and require very specific expertise. Not every production can or should work that way."

What Comes Next

For now, the announcement of "Top Gun 3" remains just that — an announcement. A script is being written, according to Paramount's CinemaCon presentation, but no director has been confirmed, no production timeline has been set, and no casting beyond the likely return of Cruise has been announced.

For crew members like Maria Chen, that means the waiting continues. She's currently working on a streaming series filming in Los Angeles, but she keeps her certifications current and maintains her contacts in San Diego, just in case.

"You have to stay ready," she said. "When these big productions finally happen, they happen fast. But you also can't put your life on hold waiting for them. It's a balance."

As Hollywood continues to evolve, productions like "Top Gun 3" represent both opportunity and uncertainty for the thousands of workers who make blockbuster filmmaking possible. The announcement confirms that the franchise will continue, but the details that matter most to working crew members — when, where, and how — remain to be determined.