When Top Gun: Maverick dazzled critics and audiences in 2022, it always seemed likely that Tom Cruise would be eyeing up a follow-up to Days of Thunder, another high-octane action drama where he worked alongside Tony Scott.
Progress on the sequel has been slow, though it was said to be in development alongside another instalment in the Top Gun franchise. And now, at long last, we have some major updates on the upcoming film.
Taking to X on Saturday (29 August), Cruise confirmed that Academy Award-winner Anne Hathaway had joined the cast for the sequel to Days of Thunder, while also sharing that it was scheduled to be released on 2 June 2028.
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The post also included a video, where Cruise and Hathaway could be seen standing in front of a green racing car. Hathaway then addressed the camera, before they showed off the logo for the upcoming film.
There was also an amusing exchange regarding Hathaway’s personal life, with the actor expecting a child with husband Adam Shulman. She quipped that she would “have this baby, then make the movie”, with Cruise saying that it was a “good idea”.
As per Deadline, Hathaway is expected to play the engineer and owner of a racing team, while Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle. Other than that, plot details are thin on the ground.
It was reported in several outlets last month that 50/50 and Warm Bodies director Jonathan Levine was being lined up to helm the project ahead of filming next year, with Will Staples set to pen the screenplay.
The original film was released in 1990, with Cruise having a story credit alongside screenwriter Robert Towne. The plot followed Cole in his early years as a NASCAR racer, where he’s a hotshot with a brash attitude.
Paramount
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In addition to Cruise, the cast for the sports drama included Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker, Cary Elwes and John C Reilly, while Nicole Kidman plays love interest Dr Claire Lewicki.
Though it garnered mixed reviews from critics, Days of Thunder was a success at the box office as it grossed over $157 million worldwide against a budget of $60 million. It was also liked by viewers, and has developed a cult following over the years.
Days of Thunder 2 is scheduled to be released in cinemas on 2 June 2028.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.