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Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski is keeping himself pretty busy as his latest film, F1: The Movie, is navigating the award circuit. And while he’s now developing sequels to the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced blockbusters, he also has a very interesting project on his slate. Kosinski, who is also known for Tron: Legacy and Oblivion, will return to his sci-fi roots with another Bruckheimer feature – one that he’s described as “science fact” rather than science fiction.
The director was recently featured in Deadline‘s Behind the Lens, an interview series hosted by Pete Hammond. The episode sees Kosinski discuss his most important films, directing stars like Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, and his strong relationship with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer. He also commented on an upcoming sci-fi production that will see him bend the rules of the genre:
“I’ve got something I’m working on with Jerry Bruckheimer about these UAPs, these unidentified aerial phenomena. So, we’re working with two people that are at the very center of the topic. So, the conversations with them are just fascinating. Zach Baylin’s writing the script right now. Very exciting project. Trying to get that ready as soon as possible.
“You would think it’s science fiction, but I think we’re finding out it’s science fact. So, that’s what the film is about, and I think it is one of those things that I think everyone will want to go see.”
Joseph Kosinski is the film visionary behind some of the most successful blockbusters of recent times. He made his debut as a director in 2010 with Tron: Legacy, and since then, he has made Oblivion, Only the Brave, Top Gun: Maverick, and his latest directorial effort, F1: The Movie. For his work in the Top Gun sequel, Kosinski earned nominations at the Saturn Awards and the Directors Guild of America Awards, with both the Tom Cruise sequel and F1 hitting big at the box office.
In terms of sci-fi, Kosinski has already shown his chops with films like Tron: Legacy and Oblivion. About the latter, his first movie alongside Cruise, he commented the following in the interview: “Oblivion was very special because it was an original sci-fi film, and to be able to tell an original story is a pretty incredible opportunity.” At one point, he was involved with remakes of sci-fi gems Logan’s Run and The Black Hole, but those projects never came to fruition. He adds about returning to the genre:
“I do love science fiction, I love the ideas. I grew up a fan of 2001 [A Space Odyssey], and just feel like science fiction is an incredible way to explore ideas like that.”
2026 Will Be a Great Year for Science Fiction
2025 saw the release of major sci-fi films like Tron: Ares, Predator: Badlands, The Gorge, The Running Man, and Mickey 17, with some of the best-reviewed examples being Avatar: Fire and Ash, Bugonia, and Superman.
In 2026, sci-fi fans will also get their fix with major releases like Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Three, Steven Spielberg’s Disclosure Day, Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller’s Project Hail Mary, and The Mandalorian and Grogu. On the small screen, viewers will stream sci-fi shows like Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Neuromancer, Season 2 of 3 Body Problem, Season 3 of Silo, and Season 4 of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.
