Tom Cruise is returning as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle in a sequel to the 1990 racing film Days of Thunder, with Anne Hathaway joining him in a key role. The film is set to hit theatres in 2028 and will mark the first time Cruise and Hathaway share the screen.
Tom Cruise has officially confirmed the long-awaited sequel to Days of Thunder, more than three decades after the original film was released.
The actor made the announcement alongside Anne Hathaway in a video shared on social media. The sequel will see Cruise reprise his role as fictional NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, while Hathaway will play a team owner and engineer.
When Will Days Of Thunder 2 Release?
The sequel is scheduled to release on June 2, 2028, with the film planned for an IMAX release.
The project is being developed by Paramount Pictures and will be directed by Jonathan Levine. The screenplay has been written by Will Staples.
Cruise will also serve as a producer alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Bruckheimer, who produced the original Days of Thunder, is returning for the new film.
The production is expected to use large-format filmmaking to bring the racing action to the big screen.
Anne Hathaway Joins Tom Cruise
Hathaway’s casting is one of the biggest new additions to the franchise.
The actor will reportedly play a team owner and engineer, giving her a role connected directly to the racing world rather than simply serving as a romantic counterpart to Cruise’s character.
The film will also mark the first on-screen collaboration between Cruise and Hathaway.
While the makers have not revealed major plot details yet, Hathaway’s character is expected to have an important role in the story surrounding Cole Trickle and the NASCAR world.
Tom Cruise Returns As Cole Trickle
Cruise’s Cole Trickle was at the centre of the original Days of Thunder, which was directed by the late Tony Scott.
The 1990 film followed Trickle’s journey as a talented but ambitious NASCAR driver trying to establish himself in the highly competitive racing world.
The movie featured Cruise alongside actors including Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid and Cary Elwes.
Although the film received mixed reviews when it was released, it developed a strong following among NASCAR fans over the years.
Why Is The Sequel Happening Now?
The announcement comes at a time when motorsport films are attracting renewed interest from global audiences.
The success of F1, starring Brad Pitt, helped demonstrate the commercial potential of racing films for mainstream audiences. The renewed interest has also created an opportunity for older racing franchises to return to theatres.
For Days of Thunder, the sequel has been in development for several years. Cruise had previously been linked to the project, but the film had not received an official release date or complete cast.
That changed with the latest announcement.
What We Know About The New Film
The makers have kept the plot under wraps, but Cruise is confirmed to return as Cole Trickle and Hathaway will play a team owner and engineer.
The film will be directed by Jonathan Levine and written by Will Staples, with Cruise, Bruckheimer and Harper producing.
The sequel will arrive nearly 38 years after the original film, giving the franchise a major nostalgia factor while also introducing the NASCAR world to a new generation.
With Tom Cruise back behind the wheel and Anne Hathaway joining the racing action, Days of Thunder is preparing for a new chapter on the big screen in 2028.
