June 7 (UPI) -- Val Kilmer will star in upcoming sequel Top Gun: Maverick, which will also feature Tom Cruise in the lead role.
Kilmer's involvement with the sequel was confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter after the actor had previously campaigned to be in the film on social media.
The actor has been spotted around the San Diego hotel Paramount has been using since production began last week, The Wrap reported.
Kilmer famously portrayed skilled fighter pilot Iceman, a rival to Cruise's Maverick, in the original 1986 film.
Joseph Kosinski, who worked with Cruise on Oblivion, is directing the film with Jerry Bruckheimer returning to produce. German composer Harold Faltermeyer, who created the score for the original film, will also return.
Top Gun: Maverick, set for release on July 12, 2019, will follow Maverick in the present day as he deals with the rise of drone technology that is making his style of jet fighter flying obsolete.