‘Top Gun 2’ ready for takeoff?

The idea of a sequel to the cult 1980s movie has been flying around for years, but fans' wildest dreams seem to be getting steadily closer to reality. Although things had gone quiet since back in the autumn, the movie is once again grabbing headlines thanks to a photo hitting the web this week showing its producer, Jerry Bruckheimer, with the possible lead star, Tom Cruise.

The two men are all smiles in a photo posted on Twitter by Jerry Bruckheimer, with the caption: "Just got back from a weekend in New Orleans to see my old friend @TomCruise and discuss a little Top Gun 2".

The photo has whipped up an enormous buzz since Paramount still hasn't officially confirmed the follow-up to Tony Scott's original hit movie. In spite of that, details about the film's crew and cast have been coming in steadily. In September 2014, screenwriter Justin Marks ("The Jungle Book") was hired to rework a previous script by Peter Craig ("The Town").

In June 2015, David Ellisson from Skydance Productions said that Tom Cruise would once again be slipping into fighter-pilot Maverick's trademark jacket. He also outlined a basic plotline involving the arrival of unmanned drones in the American Air Force. Then, in November, Val Kilmer suggested that he could be stepping back into his role as Iceman.

Despite all the excitement, "Top Gun 2" would be a long way from hitting the big screen. No director has yet been linked to the project and there's no word on when filming might begin. Plus, Tom Cruise's hectic schedule may not help matters. Currently in the middle of filming another sequel -- a follow-up to "Jack Reacher" -- the star is then booked to film "Mission: Impossible 6," then the reboot of "The Mummy."

Still, 2016 seems like the ideal time to confirm that "Top Gun 2" is truly in the pipeline, as the original movie will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of its initial release in American theaters on May 16.