Actor Tom Cruise announced plans to star in a sequel to the 1990 film “Days of Thunder” during an appearance at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday. The follow-up film will be released by Paramount Pictures on June 2, 2028, with Cruise returning to his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. Anne Hathaway has been cast as a team owner and engineer in the project.
Cruse will serve as a producer on the film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Jonathan Levine is attached to direct the screenplay, which was written by Will Staples. Reports from November 2024 had indicated that Cruise was in discussions with Paramount regarding a potential sequel to the original racing drama.
The 1990 original “Days of Thunder” was initially met with critical skepticism and became the subject of ridicule within NASCAR circles for its theatrical liberties. However, the film has since developed a dedicated following among racing enthusiasts and remains referenced by fans. The character of Cole Trickle was inspired by late NASCAR driver Tim Richmond.
Jeff Gordon, a four-time Cup Series champion and current vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports, has been vocal about his interest in seeing a “Days of Thunder” sequel materialize. Gordon and Cruise have maintained a friendship over the years, with Cruise attending a NASCAR banquet in 2015 to honor Gordon’s retirement. The original film expanded NASCAR’s exposure to mainstream audiences during its theatrical release and helped introduce stock-car racing to viewers with limited prior familiarity with the sport.
Hollywood’s track record with NASCAR-themed content has been uneven in subsequent decades, with some projects achieving popularity while others have underperformed commercially and critically.
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