Top Gun 2: Will Val Kilmer return as Iceman in the sequel?

Confirmation has arrived in the form of an individual with knowledge of the production.

They told TheWrap that Val Kilmer will star opposite Tom Cruise in the “Top Gun: Maverick” as Iceman, reprising his role.

Back in 2015, Kilmer jumped the gun by posting on Facebook that he’d accepted his role in the Top Gun sequel, having to quickly retract it.

Kilmer wrote on his Facebook page: “This is a long way off so calm down. This has been talked about for a long long time and being offered a role is very different from doing a role.”

“I jumped the gun with my post. I jumped the topgun… An innocent mistake. It was just such a wonderful phone call with my agent…” he added.

Now, however, rumours are turning to fact

The long-awaited sequel to the 1986 rave blockbuster features Cruise back as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, now a trainer to the next generation of U.S. Navy fighter pilots.

Kilmer played aviator Tom “Iceman” Kazansky.

Iceman was Cruise’s rival in the first movie, though what Iceman will do in the second movie is yet to be confirmed.

The news should come as a relief to fans of Kilmer on social media.

The 58-year-old Kilmer posted several posts on social media, including one in which he wore an Iceman t-shirt.

He wrote: “I’m ready Tom – still got my Top Gun plaque! Still got the moves! Still got it!”

Snaps of Kilmer around the San Diego hotel the studio has been using since production began last week have surfaced.

Paramount has declined to comment, but as soon as they do fans can officially rejoice.

The Top Gun sequel comes from Paramount and Skydance, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing.

Top Gun Maverick’s screenplay is co-written by Peter Craig and Justin Marks.

Top Gun: Maverick is set for an initial July 2019 release date.