Tom Cruise is heading back to the racetrack. The actor has confirmed a sequel to his 1990 film Days of Thunder, with Anne Hathaway joining him in the cast. Paramount Pictures has set the film for a June 2, 2028 theatrical release, nearly 38 years after the original arrived in theatres.
Cruise announced the news himself, sharing an image with Hathaway at Daytona International Speedway alongside a race car bearing the Days of Thunder name and a “Summer 2028” release message. Cruise will return as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, the character he originated in Tony Scott’s original film, while Hathaway will play a new character who is a race car team owner and engineer. Her character’s name and connection to Trickle have not yet been revealed, and Paramount has not confirmed whether the sequel will officially be titled Days of Thunder 2 or carry another name.
The film marks the first major on-screen collaboration between Cruise and Hathaway.
The original Days of Thunder followed Trickle, a talented but inexperienced racer who entered the world of NASCAR under the guidance of veteran crew chief Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall. The story saw Trickle navigate fierce competition and personal setbacks on his way to the Daytona 500. The film also starred Nicole Kidman as Dr. Claire Lewicki, alongside Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker and Cary Elwes, and featured cameos from real NASCAR figures including Richard Petty and Rusty Wallace.
Produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer following the success of Top Gun, the original film grossed $157.9 million worldwide against a reported $60 million budget. It received mixed reviews at the time and was often dismissed as “Top Gun with cars.” The film is also remembered as the movie where Cruise and Kidman first met before later marrying.
Jonathan Levine is set to direct the sequel, marking a significant change from the original film, which was directed by the late Tony Scott. Levine is known for more character-driven and emotionally grounded films such as 50/50, Warm Bodies and Long Shot. His involvement could give the sequel a different sensibility from Scott’s high-gloss visual approach.
The screenplay is being written by Will Staples, with Cruise producing alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper, once again connecting the sequel to the team behind the original. Filming is expected to begin in early 2027, with the movie being shot for IMAX and expected to play in premium formats including Dolby Cinema and 4DX. Reports indicate that NASCAR is supporting the production, although the extent of its involvement has not been detailed. No real drivers or NASCAR personalities have been confirmed for the cast.
The sequel’s development also follows public comments from Joseph Kosinski, director of F1 and Top Gun: Maverick, who said last year that his dream project would be a crossover between Days of Thunder and F1. Kosinski suggested the possibility of Cruise’s Cole Trickle going up against Brad Pitt’s Sonny Hayes as former racing rivals. That crossover remains purely speculative, but the idea highlights the growing overlap between Cruise’s racing legacy on screen and Hollywood’s renewed interest in motorsport stories.
With Hathaway now confirmed opposite Cruise, Levine bringing a different creative approach to the material and a 2028 release date already locked in, the return of Days of Thunder is shaping up as one of Cruise’s most anticipated legacy sequels. Most details about the story, however, remain firmly under wraps.
