DAYS OF THUNDER, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, 1990 Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xParamount/CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MSDDAOF EC017
DAYS OF THUNDER, Nicole Kidman, Tom Cruise, 1990 Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xParamount/CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MSDDAOF EC017
Cole Trickle is coming back. The way Tom Cruise returned with Top Gun’s sequel after 36 years, he’s about to do the same with his 1990 cult classic Days of Thunder.
As reported exclusively by The Hollywood Reporter, American film director and screenwriter Jonathan Levine is in talks to direct the sequel to the sports action drama.
Cruise is set to be on board, and Jerry Bruckheimer, who also produced the original in 1990, is one of the producers. Apart from him, Cruise is also set to produce it, and Paramount Pictures will distribute it.
Days of Thunder Cole Trickle (TOM CRUISE) Regie: Tony Scott aka. Days of thunder / TAGE DES DONNERS USA 1990 Copyright: KPA !AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT! Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us. UnitedArchives00857973
Days of Thunder Cole Trickle (TOM CRUISE) Regie: Tony Scott aka. Days of thunder / TAGE DES DONNERS USA 1990 Copyright: KPA !AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT! Nur redaktionelle Nutzung im Zusammenhang mit dem Film. Editorial usage only and only related to the movie. Im Falle anderer Verwendungen, kontaktieren Sie uns bitte. For other uses, please contact us. UnitedArchives00857973
Levine last directed episodes of Nicole Kidman’s Nine Perfect Strangers (Season 2). His highly anticipated work is his upcoming biographical sports drama Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story, based on the life of former NFL running back John Tuggle. Starring David Corenswet, the movie is set for a Christmas Day wide release and has been acclaimed in its test screenings.
Last year, the success of F1: The Movie (also produced by Bruckheimer) played a big role in boosting the Days of Thunder sequel talks. Cruise fueled the rumors more when he celebrated the 35th anniversary of the original film alongside F1's release.
F1: The Movie - European Premiere London, UK. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt at the F1: The Movie European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England. LMK425-J11141-240625 Harry Cornish/Landmark Media . PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxUSAxCAN
F1: The Movie - European Premiere London, UK. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt at the F1: The Movie European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England. LMK425-J11141-240625 Harry Cornish/Landmark Media . PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUKxUSAxCAN
In fact, in an interview with GQ at the time, Joseph Kosinski, director of Top Gun: Maverick and F1, went a step further and even pitched a crossover idea between Cruise and Brad Pitt’s characters.
Interestingly, the current news from The Hollywood Reporter comes just a day after Adam Stern tweeted NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell’s thoughts on a Days of Thunder sequel.
"I will say, there is a lot of momentum — and I remain cautiously optimistic that we’re going to see some really cool stuff coming in the future in that area," he quoted O’Donnell’s words.
In the original, Cruise plays the hotshot Cole Trickle, a talented open-wheel racer who transitions to NASCAR and chases glory while overcoming fierce rivalries and a near-career-ending crash. Directed by Tony Scott, the movie starred Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, and others. Hans Zimmer gave the music.
What’s the sequel about?
Will Staples, who co-wrote Without Remorse starring Michael B. Jordan, is writing the story for the sequel. The details are kept secret so far, but Staples has reached the NASCAR garage to feel and study the racing life.
Recently, Jeff Gordon was asked at a conference about Staples shadowing his crew and speaking to drivers.
Gordon said, “All I can say is that there have been a team at the track, taking notes, gathering information, meeting with drivers and teams, and a writer who’s working on something to move it into the future,” as reported by the Daily Downforce.
In fact, earlier this year, when Chase Elliott won in Martinsville, Gordon had some good news as he revealed his meeting with Cruise and their conversation around the movie.
“I saw Tom one or two years ago. He actually brought it up then. We were just laughing a bit. He said, ‘No. I’m serious, this is going to happen.’ When Tom Cruise says that, you take it seriously.”
With all these developments taking place, one thing's for sure: Cruise and racing fans have plenty to look forward to.
You can read more on the Daytona Racing Digest!
Written by
Suyashdeep Sason
Edited by
Suyashdeep Sason