- Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that a sequel to Days of Thunder is currently in development.
- Tom Cruise is expected to reprise his role following discussions with NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon.
- No official release date, cast list or production timeline has been disclosed at this stage.
After years of paddock gossip and wishful thinking, a sequel to the 1990 cult classic Days of Thunder looks like it’s finally leaving the pit lane.
Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed the long-rumoured follow-up is in development, and yes, Tom Cruise is onboard.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet of the upcoming F1 film - also under Bruckheimer’s belt - the veteran producer all but confirmed Days of Thunder 2. “The next one, you mean?” he quipped when asked about the project.
While no script or timeline has been disclosed, Bruckheimer teased, “There’s always new technologies, new ways to do things, to see things… and Tom is such a great individual to come up with phenomenal ideas. So we’ll have something really exciting for an audience once we pull it together.”
Cruise played hotshot stock car racer Cole Trickle in the original film, which, despite middling critical reception, raked in US$157 million and has since spawned a passionate, if not niche, fanbase. With Cruise now arguably at the peak of his career (yet again), the timing for a revival couldn’t be better.
NASCAR meets nostalgia
Fueling the buzz is NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon, who’s been actively campaigning for the sequel. According to Gordon, he and Cruise have already chatted about the idea: “We’re doing it. We’re doing Days of Thunder 2,” Cruise reportedly told him.
The original film’s mix of high-octane action, romantic drama, and a thunderous Hans Zimmer score set it apart from other racing flicks.
But with the current boom in hyper-realistic motorsport cinema (think the new F1 film and racing sim adaptations) a sequel could shift gears into something far more immersive.
Plot's under wraps, but engine’s running
While no plot details, casting announcements, or production dates have been revealed, all signs point to Days of Thunder 2 being in active development. Cruise’s involvement hints at another intense, character-driven ride - likely blending vintage NASCAR bravado with today’s filmmaking muscle.
Whether it's a full-blown reboot or a legacy sequel tapping into modern racing culture, one thing’s clear: Cruise isn’t finished crossing the finish line just yet.
