Paramount Pictures has scheduled a follow-up to the 1990 NASCAR drama “Days of Thunder” for June 2, 2028. Tom Cruise will reprise his role as driver Cole Trickle, while Anne Hathaway will play a team owner and engineer. Cruise announced the project at Daytona International Speedway before NASCAR's regular-season finale.
Key facts
- Release date: June 2, 2028
- Returning star: Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle
- New co-star: Anne Hathaway
- Director: Jonathan Levine
- Writer: Will Staples
Timeline
1990 — “Days of Thunder” opens in theaters. November 2024 — reports emerge that Cruise is discussing a follow-up with Paramount. July 2026 — Jonathan Levine is reported as the director. Aug. 29, 2026 — Cruise announces the film at Daytona, with Hathaway confirmed as co-star. June 2, 2028 — planned theatrical release.
The project returns to one of Cruise's most recognizable early action roles after the commercial success of another long-delayed legacy sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” This time the studio is pairing the nostalgia of the original with a contemporary lead character positioned on the engineering and ownership side of the sport.
The film is planned for an exclusive theatrical release, including IMAX and other premium formats. No production budget or box-office forecast has been announced, so its commercial scale cannot yet be measured beyond the studio's release strategy.
What happened?
Cruise presented the film to drivers and racing officials at Daytona and said the new story would again focus on the teamwork, community, speed and danger around stock-car racing. Jonathan Levine is set to direct a screenplay by Will Staples. Cruise will produce with Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Plot details beyond Hathaway's role have not been released.
Why it matters
The project returns to one of Cruise's most recognizable early action roles after the commercial success of another long-delayed legacy sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” This time the studio is pairing the nostalgia of the original with a contemporary lead character positioned on the engineering and ownership side of the sport.
Background
Paramount Pictures has scheduled a follow-up to the 1990 NASCAR drama “Days of Thunder” for June 2, 2028. Tom Cruise will reprise his role as driver Cole Trickle, while Anne Hathaway will play a team owner and engineer. Cruise announced the project at Daytona International Speedway before NASCAR's regular-season finale.
Who wins?
Paramount gains another large-format theatrical project built around a known Cruise property, while NASCAR receives a high-profile film that could introduce its team culture to a wider audience.
Who loses?
The long wait creates a high bar for a sequel tied to a film with a durable fan following. A release date nearly two years away also leaves room for production plans to change.
Market impact
The film is planned for an exclusive theatrical release, including IMAX and other premium formats. No production budget or box-office forecast has been announced, so its commercial scale cannot yet be measured beyond the studio's release strategy.
Nivegu analysis
The announcement is more concrete than the sequel reports that circulated earlier: it now has two stars, a director, a writer and a dated theatrical slot. What it does not yet have publicly is a detailed story or a broader cast. The next useful signals will come from production timing, NASCAR's level of participation and the first footage rather than from nostalgia alone.
Different viewpoints
Paramount gains another large-format theatrical project built around a known Cruise property, while NASCAR receives a high-profile film that could introduce its team culture to a wider audience.
The long wait creates a high bar for a sequel tied to a film with a durable fan following. A release date nearly two years away also leaves room for production plans to change.
What are you still wondering?
Answers will use this briefing and its cited sources.Sources and further reading
01Associated Press — Daytona announcement and production details↗02Variety — Paramount release plan and Hathaway casting↗03Motorsport.com — NASCAR context and sequel confirmation↗Questions, answered.
What is the short version?
Paramount Pictures has scheduled a follow-up to the 1990 NASCAR drama “Days of Thunder” for June 2, 2028. Tom Cruise will reprise his role as driver Cole Trickle, while Anne Hathaway will play a team owner and engineer. Cruise announced the project at Daytona International Speedway before NASCAR's regular-season finale.
Why does this matter now?
The project returns to one of Cruise's most recognizable early action roles after the commercial success of another long-delayed legacy sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” This time the studio is pairing the nostalgia of the original with a contemporary lead character positioned on the engineering and ownership side of the sport.
What should readers watch next?
The film is planned for an exclusive theatrical release, including IMAX and other premium formats. No production budget or box-office forecast has been announced, so its commercial scale cannot yet be measured beyond the studio's release strategy.
