Tom Cruise (left) and Anne Hathaway stand next to a NASCAR stock car featuring ‘Days of Thunder’ on the side.
In an unexpected announcement, Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway appeared in a video with a NASCAR Cup Series stock car with ‘Days of Thunder Summer 2028’ on the side.
“I’m going to have this baby and then we’re going to make this movie,” said Hathaway.
The sequel is set for a June release and will be filmed for IMAX.
Cruise starred in the original as Cole Trickle and will reprise that role in the new film.
Hathaway’s role has not yet been revealed, though reports indicate she may play a team owner and engineer.
Cruise attended the NASCAR Cup Series drivers meeting at Daytona, where he addressed the athletes.
“It’s a real honour for me to be here today. It was a real honour,” said Cruise.
“I used to take cars on the back streets of Kentucky racing when I was a little kid.
“When I brought Days of Thunder to Jerry Bruckheimer in the 1980s, it was not just about racing. It’s about the community and the people here.
“There’s something very special about racers and the whole community. It’s a culture.
“I was very proud to be able to reflect that in the first Days of Thunder and an honour to share it with the world.
“I just want you all to know that’s basically what we’re really going to go for with this one.
“Give the audience the opportunity to understand what it is as a team, as a community, what it is for NASCAR and the speed and the excitement and all that dangerous stuff that I love doing.”
A sequel to the 1990 film has long been mooted, with NASCAR industry experts surveyed by screenwriter Will Staples.
Cruise will produce the Paramount film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
The opportunity to make ‘Days of Thunder 2’ comes off the back of the successful release of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, which grossed $1.5 billion USD.
Days of Thunder. Summer 2028. pic.twitter.com/rD3QLXfUyi
— Tom Cruise (@TomCruise) August 29, 2026