For more than three decades, “Days of Thunder” has remained NASCAR’s signature Hollywood film. Now, after years of speculation and renewed momentum created by the blockbuster success of F1, the long-awaited sequel appears to be taking its biggest step forward yet.
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount Pictures is moving ahead with plans for a “Days of Thunder” sequel. Tom Cruise is expected to return as legendary driver Cole Trickle, while filmmaker Jonathan Levine is in talks to direct the project. The screenplay is reportedly being written by Will Staples, with Cruise also expected to serve as a producer alongside longtime collaborator Jerry Bruckheimer.
If the current timeline holds, filming is expected to begin in early 2027.
F1 helped reignite interest in NASCAR’s biggest movie
The timing is hardly a coincidence.
Brad Pitt’s F1 has become one of the biggest racing films ever made, earning more than $600 million worldwide while introducing a new generation of fans to motorsports. That success has fueled fresh optimism that another racing franchise could find similar success on the big screen.
Unlike the fictional Formula 1 world created for F1, “Days of Thunder” already has deep roots within NASCAR.
Released in 1990, the original film followed Cruise’s rise as hotshot rookie Cole Trickle after he joined legendary crew chief Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall. The movie blended fictional storytelling with real NASCAR drivers, teams and tracks, quickly becoming one of the sport’s defining pop culture moments.
Even today, Cole Trickle remains one of the most recognizable fictional characters ever associated with NASCAR.
NASCAR figures have been pushing for a sequel for years
The possibility of a sequel has been discussed for years.
Jeff Gordon, a longtime friend of Cruise, has publicly spoken about encouraging the actor to revisit “Days of Thunder,” comparing the opportunity to what Cruise accomplished with “Top Gun: Maverick.” The original “Top Gun” debuted in 1986 before Cruise returned for the record-breaking sequel 36 years later.
The renewed momentum also comes after an emotional chapter tied to NASCAR.
Earlier this year, before his death in May, NASCAR legend Kyle Busch reportedly spoke with one of the film’s writers as work began on an outline for the sequel. Busch’s nickname, “Rowdy,” traces its roots back to Michael Rooker’s character Rowdy Burns in the original film, making his involvement especially meaningful to longtime fans.
Current Cup Series star Christopher Bell has also welcomed the idea of a sequel, saying a serious, modern racing film could help showcase NASCAR to new audiences and offer a very different portrayal than comedies such as Talladega Nights.
While Paramount has not announced an official release date, the latest report marks the clearest indication yet that “Days of Thunder” is finally returning after more than 35 years.
For NASCAR fans, one of the sport’s most iconic stories may soon be headed back to the big screen.
