Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway to Star in ‘Days of Thunder’ Sequel: NASCAR Drama Follow-Up Hits Theaters in 2028

Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise have officially confirmed that a direct sequel to the cult sports drama Days of Thunder is in development. Anne Hathaway will take the lead female role, and the blockbuster is set for a worldwide theatrical release on June 2, 2028.

Announcement at Daytona and Hathaway’s Role

The actors personally announced the project at the famous Daytona International Speedway ahead of a NASCAR race.

As People reports, Cruise will reprise his role as legendary racer Cole Trickle 38 years after the original film. At the presentation, the stars posed next to a modern NASCAR Cup Series Next Gen car painted in the iconic yellow-and-green colors of the City Chevrolet team from the 1990 original.

According to insiders, Hathaway will play a talented racing engineer and team owner — marking the Oscar winner’s first on-screen collaboration with Tom Cruise.

Filmmakers, IMAX Format, and Jerry Bruckheimer’s Return

The studio is betting on a grand theatrical experience with an emphasis on practical stunts:

• Format: The film will be shot with large-format cameras specifically for IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and 4DX auditoriums;
• Director: Jonathan Levine (“50/50,” “Warm Bodies,” “The Night Before”) is set to direct;
• Screenplay: Will Staples (“Without Remorse”) is writing the script;
• Producer trio: Tom Cruise, Tommy Harper, and legendary Jerry Bruckheimer, who was behind the original “Days of Thunder,” the “Top Gun” duology, and the high-budget film “F1” starring Brad Pitt.

Integration into the Real NASCAR Season

According to the specialized outlet Motorsport.com, the production team has again struck a deal with NASCAR. Some scenes are planned to be shot during actual race weekends, involving current championship drivers and mechanics, just as was done for the original film directed by Tony Scott.

Following the ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Formula

Cole Trickle’s return follows the proven formula of the hugely successful action film Top Gun: Maverick, in which Cruise revisited an iconic character after 36 years. For the racing franchise, the gap will be 38 years: the 1990 original, starring Nicole Kidman and Robert Duvall, grossed $157.9 million worldwide on a $60 million budget and became the gold standard for racing cinema.

Days of Thunder. Summer 2028. pic.twitter.com/rD3QLXfUyi

— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) August 29, 2026

As The Hollywood Reporter notes, filming will begin after Cruise and Hathaway wrap up their current commitments, with the official release set for June 2, 2028.