Tom Cruise in Early Talks for ‘Days of Thunder’ Sequel

Following the huge success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ the star/producer is looking to keep re-visiting past work –– but would Nicole Kidman return?

Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Preview:

Tom Cruise is considering a sequel to ‘Days of Thunder.’
It would likely see him return as driver Cole Trickle.
Paramount is in talks with the actor about the idea.

Tom Cruise, it seems, is ready to turn back the clock and re-visit another one of his past movies.

With the huge success that was ‘Top Gun: Maverick,’ it seems he’s looking at ‘Days of Thunder’ as the next potential sequel generator.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cruise is talking to Paramount about a potential movie sequel to the NASCAR-set action drama. Which we’re sure the studio would be interested in, especially since it already wanted to make a TV series based on the original for Paramount+ which Cruise shut down.

What was the story of ‘Days of Thunder?’

(L to R) Robert Duvall and Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Released in 1990 following the success of movies such as ‘Top Gun,’ ‘Days of Thunder’ followed a similar storyline about a hot-headed lead character, albeit relocated to a new venue.

Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (working back then with late colleague Don Simpson) and directed by ‘Top Gun’s Tony Scott, ‘Thunder’ follows the exploits of the improbably named Cole Trickle (Cruise), a scrappy race car driver recruited to a new NASCAR team led by a retired racing legend played by Robert Duvall.

Days of Thunder

"You can't outrun the thunder."

PG-131 hr 47 minJun 27th, 1990

Watch Days of Thunder Online

Cruise got his first and, to date, only official writing credit on the film for developing the story with screenwriter Robert Towne. And his love interest on the movie was played by one Nicole Kidman, to whom he was married for 11 years after meeting here and who made her Hollywood debut playing a neurosurgeon who falls in love with Cole.

‘Days of Thunder’ wasn’t considered a box office hit upon its release (it made $157 million globally off a production budget of $60 million), and the film received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Yet it has since been re-evaluated.

What could a ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel be about?

(L to R) Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Sticking to playbook of ‘Maverick,’ it’s not hard to imagine Cruise back as Trickle (stop sniggering!), here coaching some new hotshot driver while also looking to relive his glory days.

And given the star’s driving (pun entirely intended) love of stunts, we could see him pushing to do as much behind the wheel as he can.

A bigger question might be whether Kidman would return, given that their marriage didn’t exactly end on the best of terms and more recent reports have seen Cruise irked by his former wife’s comments on their relationship. So we might have to buckle up for Kidman’s character to be barely mentioned or not factor in at all.

When would any ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel be in theaters?

1990's 'Days of Thunder'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

With discussions at such an early stage, and Cruise’s busy schedule we can’t imagine a ‘Days of Thunder’ movie would be anywhere near the checkered flag, let alone ready to speed into theaters much before 2027 or 2028.

Right now, we’d list this one as a rumor, not even on the starting grid. But aren’t you anticipating ‘Days of Thunder: Trickle’ just a little bit? We are. (They can workshop the title).