Top Gun 2 is one of those long-gestating sequels that we often hear about, but never see. Well, it looks like things are closer to happening this morning, as one of the original 1986 Top Gun cast members has confirmed their return. Val Kilmer, who played the villainous, yet ultimately heroic Iceman, jumped on his personal Facebook page to share the information. He states the following.

"I just got offered #topgun2 - not often you get to say "yes" without reading the script..."It's starring Gene Hackman..." "Yes" "The director is Francis Coppola..." "Yes!" Jerry Bruckheimer and Tom Cruise!!! "Yes." We will all miss Tony Scott one of the kindest gentlemen I've ever met in the film biz, but let's fire up some fighter jets again!!!"

Now, before you read that and get too excited, no, Francis Ford Coppola is not directing Top Gun 2. And Gene Hackman is not coming out of retirement for the sequel. That is not what Val Kilmer meant to imply. He clarifies things in a follow up message to fans.

"Francis Coppola and Gene Jackman are examples of what an actor says "yes" to. They are not involved. So sorry for the misunderstanding."

Top Gun 2 has been in the works for quite sometime. And unlike other sequels to 80s hits that we often hear about, like Bill & Ted 3 and The Goonies 2, the film was very near a start date with original director Tony Scott returning to the helm. The movie would have arrived in 2013, but right before production was to begin the previous year, Tony Scott committed suicide by jumping off the Vincent Thomas Bridge in Long Beach. This put the movie on indefinite hold.

But now, it seems things are heating back up on the project, with original star Tom Cruise still committed to reprising his role as United States Naval Aviator Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell. Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original, is also back. And a few years ago, he had this to say about the new plot, which will revolve around unmanned drones, with pilots becoming a relic of the past.

"The concept is, basically, are the pilots obsolete because of drones? [Tom Cruise as Maverick] is going to show them that they're not obsolete. They're here to stay."

Justin Marks, the man behind Disney's upcoming live-action/CGI The Jungle Book, is responsible for the most recent draft of the Top Gun 2 screenplay. We don't yet know how Iceman fits into the story, or if he and Maverick have become long-time friends in the events following Top Gun thirty years ago. Peter Craig, best known for his screenplay work on Ben Affleck's The Town, wrote the initial script. What do you think? Are you excited to see Iceman back in top form? Or is it all too little too late for this flyboy?

Val Kilmer Top Gun 2 Facebook Post