AceShowbiz - Tom Cruise is reportedly flying back to the big screen in a sequel to 1986 classic "Top Gun". Producer Jerry Bruckheimer hinted last year that he was working on a follow-up to a hugely popular "aviation" movie, sparking rumors the hit film would be revived for a new generation of cinema-goers.

Bosses at Paramount Pictures have now kick-started work on the sequel, by hiring original director Tony Scott and the film's star Cruise, according to NYmag.com's Vulture blog. The website reports the Hollywood actor will reprise his role as pilot Maverick but will play a smaller part in the follow-up, which will be penned by Oscar-winning "The Usual Suspects" screenwriter Christopher McQuarrie.

The news comes just weeks after "Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps", the sequel to the hit 1987 movie, hit cinemas and topped the box office in both the U.S. and U.K.