Tom Cruise is slated to return to the driver's seat for a sequel to his 1990 racing film "Days of Thunder," with Anne Hathaway also reportedly joining the project. Paramount Pictures has set a release date for the film, tentatively titled "Days of Thunder 2," for June 2, 2028.
The original "Days of Thunder" reunited Cruise with director Tony Scott and producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Don Simpson, who had previously collaborated on "Top Gun." In the film, Cruise starred as Cole Trickle, a cocky racecar driver seeking discipline and self-improvement. While highly anticipated, the 1990 film did not match the box office success of "Top Gun," earning nearly $100 million less in North America and being overshadowed by other hits of that summer.
Despite its moderate reception, "Days of Thunder" holds significance for Cruise. It was his second and final film with the late director Tony Scott and is one of the few films for which Cruise received a story credit. He reportedly pitched the idea after becoming immersed in the NASCAR world. The film also marked the beginning of Cruise's relationship with Nicole Kidman, who played his love interest and neurosurgeon. The couple married in late 1990 and starred in two subsequent films together before their separation in 2001.
Details regarding the plot of "Days of Thunder 2" remain scarce. However, reports indicate that Hathaway will portray a team owner and engineer. The nature of her character's relationship with Cruise's character is yet to be clarified, though it is suggested it may lean more towards professional admiration than romance, given Cruise's awareness of his on-screen romantic image.
The potential involvement of Nicole Kidman in the sequel is uncertain. While not impossible, her return is considered unlikely due to her and Cruise's divorce and the considerable time elapsed since their last public appearance together. Their children are reportedly involved with Scientology, a factor cited in their separation.
The original "Days of Thunder" is available for streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV, and for digital rental or purchase. The 2028 release date places "Days of Thunder 2" in a competitive summer movie season, scheduled after an X-Men reboot and a "Lilo & Stitch" sequel, and before "Incredibles 3."