Anne Hathaway Joins Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder Sequel, Release Date Set for 2028
Hollywood stars Anne Hathaway and Tom Cruise are teaming up for the highly anticipated sequel to the 1990 racing film Days of Thunder. Paramount Pictures has officially set the film for a June 2, 2028 theatrical release, nearly four decades after the original movie hit cinemas.
Cruise will return as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, the character he played in the original film, while Hathaway will take on a new role as a race-car team owner and engineer. The project marks the first time the two stars will work together on screen.
Anne Hathaway Joins Tom Cruise
The casting of Anne Hathaway is one of the biggest highlights of the upcoming sequel.
Hathaway will reportedly play a character who combines technical expertise with leadership in the racing world. Her role as a team owner and engineer gives the sequel a new perspective on the NASCAR environment while placing her directly alongside Cruise’s returning character.
Cruise and Hathaway announced the news through a promotional image filmed at Daytona International Speedway, with the pair posing alongside a race car.
Tom Cruise Returns as Cole Trickle
Tom Cruise is set to reprise his role as Cole Trickle, the ambitious NASCAR driver at the centre of the original Days of Thunder.
The 1990 film followed Trickle as he entered the world of professional stock-car racing and worked alongside veteran crew chief Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall.
More than 35 years later, Cruise will return to the character as the franchise moves into a new chapter.
When Will Days of Thunder 2 Be Released?
Paramount Pictures has scheduled the sequel for June 2, 2028.
The movie will be released exclusively in cinemas, with the production planned for IMAX as well as premium formats including Dolby Cinema and 4DX.
The release comes almost 40 years after the original Days of Thunder, making the project another long-awaited legacy sequel for Cruise.
Jonathan Levine to Direct
The sequel will be directed by Jonathan Levine, whose previous credits include Warm Bodies, 50/50 and Long Shot.
Will Staples is writing the screenplay, while Cruise will produce the film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Bruckheimer also produced the original Days of Thunder.
Although specific plot details remain under wraps, the filmmakers are expected to return to the world of NASCAR while introducing new characters and conflicts.
What Will the Story Be About?
Details about the sequel’s story are still limited.
However, Tom Cruise has indicated that the new film will focus not only on racing but also on the community, teamwork and culture surrounding NASCAR. The sequel is expected to explore the relationships between drivers, teams and the people working behind the scenes.
Hathaway’s character as a team owner and engineer could therefore play an important role in expanding the story beyond the racetrack itself.
The Legacy of the Original Days of Thunder
Released in 1990, Days of Thunder was directed by the late Tony Scott and starred Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid and Cary Elwes.
The film followed Cole Trickle’s rise through the NASCAR world and became known for its high-speed racing sequences and dramatic portrayal of professional motorsport.
Although the movie received mixed critical reactions when it was released, it eventually developed a dedicated following among NASCAR fans. The original film earned approximately $157.9 million worldwide.
Another Major Legacy Sequel for Tom Cruise
The Days of Thunder sequel follows Cruise’s successful return to another iconic franchise with Top Gun: Maverick.
That film demonstrated the commercial potential of bringing one of Cruise’s classic characters back to the big screen decades later. The new Days of Thunder project similarly combines Cruise’s established star power with a familiar property and modern filmmaking technology.
Real Racing and Cruise’s Love of Stunts
Tom Cruise is well known for performing many of his own action sequences, and the new film is expected to embrace the physical intensity of professional racing.
Cruise has previously spoken about the dangers involved in filming the original Days of Thunder, including an incident in which a race car caught fire while he was filming at high speed.
His involvement could bring an authentic physical element to the racing scenes, particularly with the movie being designed for large-format theatrical presentation.
Days of Thunder 2: Key Details
| Detail | Information |
| Film | Days of Thunder sequel |
| Lead star | Tom Cruise |
| Returning character | Cole Trickle |
| Co-star | Anne Hathaway |
| Hathaway’s role | Race-car team owner and engineer |
| Director | Jonathan Levine |
| Screenwriter | Will Staples |
| Producers | Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, Tommy Harper |
| Studio | Paramount Pictures |
| Release date | June 2, 2028 |
| Format | IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX and theatrical release |
A New Chapter at the Racetrack
The return of Days of Thunder brings together two major Hollywood stars for the first time while reviving one of Tom Cruise’s early racing roles.
With Anne Hathaway joining as a team owner and engineer, Cruise returning as Cole Trickle, and Jonathan Levine directing, the sequel has the ingredients for a fresh take on the franchise.
The film is still more than a year away from release, and major plot details remain secret. But with Paramount targeting June 2, 2028, fans now have a clear date for Cruise’s return to the NASCAR world.
Nearly four decades after Cole Trickle first hit the racetrack, Days of Thunder is preparing to race back into cinemas.