Tom Cruise’s Days of Thunder Sequel Finally Has a Release Date and a Surprising Co-Star
Tom Cruise is returning as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle in Days of Thunder 2, with Anne Hathaway joining the cast and Paramount Pictures setting the sequel for a June 2, 2028 theatrical release.
The long-awaited Days of Thunder sequel is officially moving forward, bringing Tom Cruise back to the NASCAR world nearly four decades after the original racing movie hit theaters.
Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, the ambitious driver at the center of the 1990 film. Anne Hathaway is joining him in the new movie, playing a racecar team owner and engineer.
Paramount Pictures has scheduled Days of Thunder 2 for June 2, 2028. The film is also planned for IMAX and other premium theatrical formats, including Dolby Cinema and 4DX.
Is Days of Thunder 2 happening?
Yes. Days of Thunder 2 is officially moving ahead with Tom Cruise returning as Cole Trickle.
Cruise announced the project alongside Hathaway in a social media post featuring the two actors at a NASCAR track. The announcement came at Daytona International Speedway, where Cruise also addressed the sequel and what he hopes the new film will capture about NASCAR.
The sequel comes almost 40 years after the original Days of Thunder, which was released in 1990 and directed by Tony Scott.
When is the Days of Thunder 2 release date?
The Days of Thunder 2 release date is June 2, 2028.
Paramount has set the movie for an exclusive theatrical release, with the project also being prepared for premium formats including IMAX, Dolby Cinema and 4DX.
That means fans will have to wait until summer 2028 to see Cruise return to the role of Cole Trickle on the big screen.
Who is in the Days of Thunder 2 cast?
The confirmed leading cast currently includes:
- Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle
- Anne Hathaway as a racecar team owner and engineer
Cruise is returning to the character he played in the original movie, while Hathaway is taking on a new role in the NASCAR story.
The two actors have not previously appeared together in a film.
The original Days of Thunder also featured Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid and John C. Reilly.
What is Anne Hathaway’s role in Days of Thunder 2?
Anne Hathaway will play a racecar team owner and engineer in the sequel.
Her character puts her directly into the world of competitive racing alongside Cruise’s Cole Trickle.
Hathaway’s casting gives the sequel a new central character rather than simply recreating the lineup from the 1990 film.
What will Days of Thunder 2 be about?
Detailed plot information for Days of Thunder 2 has not been released.
What is known is that Cruise will return as Cole Trickle and that the new story will again be connected to the world of NASCAR racing.
Cruise has described the sequel as being about more than racing itself. He has emphasized the community, teamwork, culture, speed and danger surrounding NASCAR.
That suggests the follow-up will retain the racing focus of the original while introducing a new chapter for Cole Trickle.
Who is directing Days of Thunder 2?
Jonathan Levine is directing Days of Thunder 2.
Levine is known for films including Long Shot and Mr. Irrelevant. Will Staples is writing the screenplay.
Cruise is also producing the movie alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
The project therefore reunites Cruise with Bruckheimer, who was also involved with the original Days of Thunder.
Is Nicole Kidman in Days of Thunder 2?
There is currently no confirmation in the available casting information that Nicole Kidman will return for Days of Thunder 2.
Kidman starred opposite Cruise in the original Days of Thunder as Dr. Claire Lewicki.
For the new film, the confirmed casting information identifies Hathaway as the new female co-lead, while Cruise is returning as Cole Trickle.
What happened in the original Days of Thunder?
Released in 1990, Days of Thunder followed Cole Trickle as he entered the high-pressure world of NASCAR stock-car racing.
Trickle was recruited to a new racing team by a retired racing legend played by Robert Duvall. The film also featured Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid and John C. Reilly.
Although the movie received a mixed critical response at the time, it developed a cult following over the decades, particularly among racing fans.
The original film was also an important part of Cruise’s career following the success of Top Gun.
Why is Days of Thunder 2 happening now?
The sequel has been discussed for years. The Hollywood Reporter previously reported in 2024 that Cruise had spoken with Paramount about revisiting the racing franchise.
Now, the project is moving into its next phase with Hathaway joining Cruise and Paramount setting a firm 2028 theatrical date.
The sequel also represents a new franchise move for Cruise after his long run with the Mission: Impossible series. Cruise remains attached to another Top Gun movie as well.
Days of Thunder 2: What we know so far
Here are the key details currently confirmed:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie | Days of Thunder 2 |
| Release date | June 2, 2028 |
| Lead star | Tom Cruise |
| Cruise’s role | Cole Trickle |
| Co-star | Anne Hathaway |
| Hathaway’s role | Racecar team owner and engineer |
| Director | Jonathan Levine |
| Writer | Will Staples |
| Producers | Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, Tommy Harper |
| Release | Theatrical |
| Premium formats | IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX |
| Original film | Days of Thunder (1990) |
The bottom line
Days of Thunder 2 is officially happening, with Tom Cruise returning as Cole Trickle and Anne Hathaway joining him as a racecar team owner and engineer.
Paramount has set the sequel’s theatrical release for June 2, 2028, while Jonathan Levine is directing from a screenplay by Will Staples.
For now, the biggest unanswered questions are the full plot, additional casting and whether any stars from the original movie will return. Those details have not been confirmed yet.
