by: James A. Barnes

Variety reports that Miles Teller (Whiplash, War Dogs) will be joining Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in Paramount and Skydance's Top Gun: Maverick, as Maverick's new protege. Teller was among frontrunners Nicholas Hoult (X-Men Apocalypse) and Glen Powell (Set It Up).

Joseph Kosinski is directing the film based on the screenplay written by Christopher McQuarrie, Peter Craig, Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, and Justin Marks. The film is also being produced by Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer and David Ellison.

Joseph Kosinski and Tom Cruise have worked together in the past for 2013's "Oblivion" and Kosinski has also worked with Miles Teller as the director of "Only The Brave".

The film will follow "Maverick" as he mentors a new generation of U.S. Navy fighter pilots.

Top Gun: Maverick will hit theaters on July 12, 2019.