Tom Cruise made the surprise announcement from Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, just hours before NASCAR's regular-season finale. The actor will once again take on the role of Cole Trickle in a follow-up to the 1990 cult classic 'Days of Thunder.' Anne Hathaway has been cast as a team owner and engineer in the film, which is set for release next year.

Cruise will serve as a producer alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Jonathan Levine is set to direct the script. This news comes after The Hollywood Reporter reported in November 2024 that Cruise had discussed a follow-up with Paramount.

Production Team

Riding high from his 'Top Gun' fame, Cruise had an idea for a movie based on fast cars and the characters who raced them. And so began the making of 'Days of Thunder.' Cole Trickle was loosely based on the late NASCAR driver Tim Richmond.

Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon has openly lobbied for Cruise to bring a sequel to life.

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The original film introduced NASCAR to a wider audience that had very limited exposure to stock-car racing before that summer. There have been more swings and misses than checkered flags when it comes to its portrayal on the big or small screen since 'Days of Thunder.' For every 'Talladega Nights,' there are 10 more bombs such as comedian Kevin James' ill-fated Netflix comedy series, 'The Crew.'

The release date for the sequel has not been announced yet.

Hollywood Connection

Four-time Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, now vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports, has openly lobbied for Cruise to bring a “Days of Thunder” sequel to life.Gordon and Cruise have become friends over the years — Cruise showed up at a 2015 NASCAR banquet to honor the retiring Gordon — which could boost the prospect of Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports’ involvement in a sequel.The movie introduced NASCAR to a wider audience that had very limited exposure to stock-car racing before that summer.

There had been racing movies before — think “Thunder Road,” “Grand Prix,” “Stroker Ace,” or even “Smokey and the Bandit” — but none that had depicted NASCAR in such a mainstream style.NASCAR has seen more swings and misses than checkered flags when it comes to its portrayal on the big or small screen since “Days of Thunder.” For every “Talladega Nights,” there are 10 more bombs such as comedian Kevin James’ ill-fated Netflix’s comedy series, “ The Crew.”See ’s full auto racing coverage hereThis article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.