Tom Cruise Set to Return in 'Days of Thunder 2': NASCAR Legacy Continues

Tom Cruise, fresh off the massive success of "Top Gun: Maverick," is gearing up to revisit another classic from his illustrious career. The 62-year-old superstar has entered discussions with Paramount Pictures to develop "Days of Thunder 2," a sequel to his 1990 NASCAR racing drama.

Project Development Status

The sequel's development currently hinges on finding the perfect script. Paramount Pictures is actively meeting with potential writers to craft a compelling story worthy of the original's legacy. Given Cruise's contractual script approval rights for all his projects, the screenplay will need to meet his exacting standards before moving forward.

Racing Back to the Track

The original "Days of Thunder" followed Cole Trickle (Cruise), an ambitious driver navigating the high-stakes world of NASCAR racing. Beyond its box office success - earning $157 million worldwide against a $60 million budget - the film gained cultural significance and even earned praise from director Quentin Tarantino, who considers it his favorite racing movie. The film also sparked a personal connection, leading to Cruise's 11-year marriage to co-star Nicole Kidman.

Production Challenges and Timeline

Several factors could impact the project's timeline:

Cruise's packed schedule, including:

An upcoming mysterious project with Oscar-winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu for Warner Bros./Legendary

Doug Liman's ambitious space-filmed movie

The planned sequel to "Top Gun: Maverick"

The need for a strong script that modernizes the NASCAR story

Scheduling coordination with producer Jerry Bruckheimer

Racing Films' Recent Renaissance

The project comes amid renewed interest in racing films:

"Ford v Ferrari" (2019) by James Mangold

Michael Mann's "Ferrari" (2023)

Brad Pitt's upcoming F1 project

However, "Days of Thunder 2" would stand apart by focusing on NASCAR, a uniquely American racing culture.

Behind the Scenes

Jerry Bruckheimer, who recently collaborated with Cruise on "Top Gun: Maverick," is set to return as producer. Industry sources note that Paramount previously attempted to develop a television series based on the property, which Cruise declined.