‘Top Gun 3’ Officially in the Works
Top Gun is going right into the “Danzer Zone” for the third time. Per The Hollywood Reporter, a third Top Gun film is in the works. Ehren Kruger, who co-wrote the 2022 sequel Top Gun:…
Tom Cruise plays Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick from Paramount Pictures, Skydance and Jerry Bruckheimer Films.
Paramount PicturesTop Gun is going right into the "Danzer Zone" for the third time.
Per The Hollywood Reporter, a third Top Gun film is in the works. Ehren Kruger, who co-wrote the 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick, is on board writing the new script. Joe Kosinski, who directed the sequel, is also attached to direct the third film, which has reportedly been in development since Fall 2023.
Tom Cruise is also reportedly set to star in the third film, along with Top Gun: Maverick co-stars Miles Teller and Glen Powell.
News of the third film is not terribly shocking considering the success of Top Gun: Maverick. The long-awaited follow-up to the original 1986 film, the sequel grossed a whopping $1.49 billion worldwide. The release of Top Gun: Maverick was delayed multiple times. Most notably, Cruise famously put the film's release on hold during the pandemic so it could eventually be released in theaters. Considering how much it grosses, the release delay worked.
The Emotion Reunion of Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer
Top Gun: Maverick featured Tom Cruise reuniting on-screen with Val Kilmer. In recent years, Kilmer has maintained a low profile. This is due to issues battling throat cancer that have permanently impacted his voice.
In February 2023, Cruise appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live where a clip from Top Gun: Maverick was played featuring Kilmer. Cruise said, "I just want to say that was pretty emotional. I've known Val for decades, and for him to come back and play that character… he's such a powerful actor that he instantly became that character again. You're just looking at Iceman."
Kimmel playfully asked Cruise about the scene, "Did you cry when you guys shot that or was it just me?" Cruise laughed and responded, "I was crying, I was crying. I got emotional. He's such a brilliant actor and I love his work."
When it comes to being sexy, height is not a factor. For these male celebrities under 5 feet 7 inches, they prove just that. As Urban Dictionary describes it, a "short king" is "a man who realizes that his lack of height has nothing to do with his perception of his own self-worth." That's exactly what these leading men in the entertainment industry do -- they break barriers. Hollywood's hottest used to be reserved for the most buff, tallest men. But now, being under the average national height isn't even a factor in a celebrity's hotness level. For the short kings who are on this list, their shortness makes them even more attractive.
Height Statistics
The average height for men 20 years or older is about 5 feet 9 inches tall. Factors like genetics, nutrition, and medical conditions can affect a person's height. This average is based on 2015–2016 data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to Health, humans are taller than their ancestors. Ten thousand-year-old male skeletons from Europe measured 5 feet 6 inches. Even looking back to only the 1960s, the average male was an inch shorter than today’s measurements. Some countries have seen more drastic trends. One study found men in Iran have grown about 6.7 inches in the last 100 years -- that's the largest height gain in the world.
Despite humans being taller than our ancestors, our society used to rag on short men. There are still people out there who aren't attracted to others under a certain height, but for those who don't find it to be a hindrance, short men can be as hot as, if not hotter, than those who are vertically inclined. Thanks to social media apps like TikTok, short kings videos have nearly 36 million views. Or even Saturday Night Live's hilarious segment about "petite princes" and tiny titans."
Take a look at our list of the sexiest short kings under 5'7" below:
Dave Franco
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for NetflixStanding at 5'7" is the younger Franco actor. Dave has been in films like 'Now You See Me,' '21 Jump Street,' and 'Neighbors.' He is married to 'Mad Men' alum Alison Brie.
Bow Wow
Brad Barket/Getty Images for BETThe rapper and actor, whose real name is Shad Gregory Moss, stands at 5'7" as well. He was discovered by Snoop Dogg in the late '90s, and was eventually brought to record producer Jermaine Dupri, who signed him to So So Def Recordings. He also starred in films 'Like Mike' and 'Roll Bounce.'
Al Pacino
Steve Wood/Express/Getty ImagesA young Al Pacino, fresh from his 'Godfather' roles was a handsome lad. Standing at 5'6" the actor has no problem having kids even well into his 80s. In 2023, he welcomed a baby boy, Roman Pacino, with Noor Alfallah, 29.
Hiroyuki Sanada
MJ Kim/Getty ImagesThe 'Last Samurai' actor and martial artist stands at 5'7". In his 60's, Sanada was featured in 2022's 'Bullet Train' then 2023's 'John Wick: Chapter 4' and has aged like a fine wine.
Emile Hirsch
Jemal Countess/Getty ImagesThe 'Into The Wild' alum is 5'7" tall. The California native starred alongside Elisha Cuthbert in the 2004 romantic-comedy, 'Girl Next Door.' He is also a musician and has released two albums.
Tom Cruise
Hector Vivas/Getty Images for Paramount PicturesThe action star stands at 5'7" as well. Cruise is the living example of how his height never got in the way of him doing the most death-defying stunts in action cinema. Though he is in his 60's now, Cruise is still doing his own stunts and topping his last.
James McAvoy
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty ImagesThe Scottish actor is another 5'7" star. Starring in films like 'Atonement,' 'Split,' and 'Wanted,' McAvoy has been married twice. He is a father of two sons, one from each relationship.
Kendrick Lamar
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesWould you believe K-Dot is 5'5"? The "FEEL." rapper is widely recognized as one of the most influential rappers of his generation. He is engaged to his high school sweetheart, Whitney Alford. They share two children, daughter, Uzi, and son, Enoch.
Jeremy Allen White
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesWe all saw those photos of 'The Bear' actor shirtless looking ripped shortly after his ex-wife Addison Timlin, filed for divorce after more than three years of marriage. Standing at 5'7", White is father to two daughters with Timlin, Ezer Billie and Dolores Wild.
