'Top Gun: Maverick' now has a director and a release date

Tom Cruise is all set to fly again with the sequel to Top Gun slated to hit the theatres on July 12, 2019.

Paramount announced the release date of the film, which will be directed by Tron: Legacy filmmaker Joseph Kosinski.

Kosinski has previously worked with Cruise on the 2013 sci-fi drama Oblivion, reported Entertainment Weekly.

Cruise, majorly known for his big budget Hollywood franchise outings such as Mission Impossible series, Minority Report and Jack Reacher, recently said that he did not want a number in the title of Top Gun 2.

The movie has now been named Top Gun: Maverick after his character's code name.

The original film, released in 1986, has a cult following in Cruise's fans. The actor played the role of Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, a young Naval aviator.

It was directed by Tony Scott, the younger brother of Ridley Scott.

Tony committed suicide in 2012 by jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in San Pedro, California.