Tom Cruise is returning to the driver's seat as Cole Trickle for a Days of Thunder sequel, set for release on June 2,2028. Announced at Daytona International Speedway, the Paramount Pictures project will feature Anne Hathaway as a team owner and engineer.
A June 2, 2028 release for the Cole Trickle return
Tom Cruise officially announced his return to the role of NASCAR driver Cole Trickle on August 29,2026, during a visit to the Daytona International Speedway. According to the report,the film is scheduled by Paramount Pictures for a June 2, 2028, premiere. The production team includes producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper,with Jonathan Levine directing a script penned by Will Staples.
Anne Hathaway joins the cast in a pivotal role as a team owner and engineer. The announcement took place just hours before the NASCAR regular-seasn finale, emphasizing the film's deep ties to the sport. As the report notes, Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer were seen attending a drivers meeting at the Daytona International Speedway on the day of the announcement.
From the 1990 'critically panned' blockbuster to cult status
The original Days of Thunder, released in 1990, had a complicated relationship with its audience and the racing community. While it was a summer blockbuster, it was initially criticized for its overindulgence and exaggeration of the sport. However, the film eveentually evolved into a cult favorite among NASCAR fans, who still quote the movie's dialogue decades later.
The 1990 film is credited with introducing the general public to stock-car racing on a massive scale . While earlier films like Grand Prix or Smokey and the Bandit touched on racing, Days of Thunder brought a mainstream Hollywood sheen to the circuit. The character of Cole Trickle was loosely inspired by the late Tim Richmond, and the film immortalized the phrase "Rubbin', son, is racin'," delivered by Robert Duvall's character, Harry Hogge.
The role of Jeff Gordon and Hendrick Motorsports
The path to this sequel was paved by the advocacy of Jeff Gordon, a four-time Cup Series champion and current vice chairman at Hendrick Motorsports.. Jeff Gordon has openly lobbied Tom Cruise to revive the franchise, a request bolstered by a long-standing friendship between the two. This relationship was highlighted in 2015 when Tom Cruise attended a NASCAR banquet to honor the retirement of Jeff Gordon.
The involvement of Jeff Gordon suggests that Hendrick Motorsports could play a significant role in the production, providing a level of authenticity that has often been missing from NASCAR-themed media. The industry has struggled with cinematic portrayals, seeing many failures such as the Netflix comedy series The Crew starring Kevin James, though Talladega Nights managed to find success.
Will Robert Duvall return as Harry Hogge?
Despite the excitement surrounding the 2028 release, several key details remain unconfirmed. Most notably, the report does not mention whether Robert Duvall will reprise his role as the legendary crew chief Harry Hogge, a character essential to the original film's heart.
Additionally, the specific plot of the sequel remains a mystery, and it is unclear if other original cast members will appear. While the source confirms Anne Hathaway's role as an engineer and owner, the narrative bridge between the 1990 setting and the 2028 release has not yet been disclosed.
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