Tom Cruise has told fans on social media that he has begun production on the long-awaited sequel to his iconic 1986 aerial adventure Top Gun. 

The star shared a photo of himself in costume as Top Gun hero Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell with the caption: "#Day1" and the fighter pilot's catchphrase "Feel the need" written across the picture.

Cruise's role as Maverick in the late Tony Scott's 1986 film propelled the actor to global stardom.

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US entertainment trade daily Variety has reported that the sequel has the title Top Gun: Maverick and focuses on drone technology.

Last year, producer Jerry Bruckheimer said the film would be in cinemas for July 2019, with Cruise reuniting with Oblivion director Joseph Kosinski. Original Top Gun director Tony Scott passed away in 2012. 

Cruise will next be seen in cinemas in Mission: Impossible - Fallout. The sixth film in the espionage franchise opens on July 26.

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