More than 35 years after Tom Cruise first climbed behind the wheel as Cole Trickle, Paramount Pictures is moving forward with Days of Thunder 2.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jonathan Levine is negotiating to direct the long-awaited follow-up. Cruise is on board to reprise his role and will produce alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, who also produced the original film.
Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder – HD Retro Trailers, YouTube
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The sequel is reportedly intended to become Cruise’s next production, although Top Gun 3 remains in development and a high priority for Paramount.
While Levine’s deal has not been finalized, the project already has a screenplay written by Will Staples.
Staples previously co-wrote the 2021 action film Without Remorse and worked on several entries in the Call of Duty video game franchise. No story details or additional casting information have been announced.
Tom Cruise Returns as Cole Trickle
Directed by Tony Scott, the original Days of Thunder followed open-wheel racer Cole Trickle as he attempted to transition to NASCAR. The cast also included Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Michael Rooker, Cary Elwes, Randy Quaid, and John C. Reilly.
The film received mixed reviews when it opened in 1990. Although Roger Ebert awarded it three out of four stars, he acknowledged that it was extremely formulaic, calling it “an entertainment of great skill but predictable construction.”
Nicole Kidman in Days of Thunder – HD Retro Trailers, YouTube
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Nevertheless, Days of Thunder grossed approximately $158 million worldwide against a reported $60 million production budget. It has since developed a loyal following, particularly among NASCAR fans.
The film currently holds a 78% “Rad” rating on the user-driven review site Criticless.
Cruise’s involvement suggests that Paramount may hope to repeat the success of Top Gun: Maverick. That legacy sequel reunited Cruise and Bruckheimer more than three decades after the original Top Gun and earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. Its success demonstrated that audiences were willing to revisit one of Cruise’s older characters when the continuation offered more than nostalgia alone.
Could Days of Thunder Cross Over With F1?
Before Levine entered negotiations, Top Gun: Maverick and F1 director Joseph Kosinski floated a considerably more ambitious idea for the sequel.
Kosinski suggested bringing Cruise’s Cole Trickle together with Brad Pitt’s F1 character, Sonny Hayes. The director imagined that the two drivers might have competed against each other earlier in their careers.
Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder – HD Retro Trailers, YouTube
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“Right now, it’d be Cole Trickle [Cruise’s Days of Thunder character],” Kosinski said. “We find out that he and Sonny Hayes [Pitt’s character in the F1 movie] have a past. They were rivals at some point, maybe crossed paths.”
However, there is currently no indication that Pitt, Kosinski, or the F1 franchise will be involved in Days of Thunder 2.
Fans Are Ready to Drop the Hammer Again
Online reactions to the news that Days of Thunder 2 is moving forward have been generally positive. Many users remain hopeful that Pitt will at least make a cameo as Sonny Hayes. Others are enthusiastic based on the premise alone.
Blaine, the CEO of Criticless, wrote, “‘Top Gun… but make it redneck.’ That’s my type of movie right there.”
Bro. Yeeeeessss! Let’s go!
Days of Thunder slaps.“Top Gun… but make it redneck”. That’s my type of movie right there. https://t.co/8QXhW2SnEI pic.twitter.com/4MGOm7Y94v
— Criticless Blaine (@CriticlessBA) July 22, 2026
With Hollywood increasingly turning to nostalgia and Paramount focusing heavily on established franchises, it may not be too late for Cole Trickle to “drop the hammer” again. In fact, this may be exactly the right moment.
Are you excited for Days of Thunder 2? Sound off and let us know!
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