Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway are getting behind the wheel for a highly anticipated sequel. Cruise announced that Hathaway will join him in “Days of Thunder 2,” the follow-up to his hit 1990 racing movie.
The stars shared the news on Saturday, August 29, in a playful social media video filmed beside a brightly colored NASCAR race car at Daytona. “Hey!”
Hathaway said as she leaned toward the camera in a cowboy hat, with Cruise standing beside her. The clip revealed that the movie will arrive in theaters on June 2, 2028. Cruise added in the caption, “Days of Thunder. Summer 2028.”
“Let’s make the movie,” Hathaway said to Cruise in an Instagram reel. “I’m gonna have this baby, and then we’re gonna make this movie.”
“That’s a good idea,” Cruise replied. “You have the baby, then we’ll go make the movie. We’re coming out summer of 2028. Don’t be late.”
Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway Announce ‘Days of Thunder 2’
Cruise, 64, will reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. Hathaway, 43, is expected to play a team owner and engineer, Deadline reported on Saturday, August 29.
The newly announced co-stars also posed together beside the race car, offering fans their first look at the pairing. Cruise wore a light button-down shirt and jeans, while Hathaway leaned into the racing theme with a cream jumpsuit and cowboy hat.
Plot details remain under wraps, but the casting news signals that Paramount Pictures is moving quickly on the sequel. The studio recently hired “Warm Bodies” filmmaker Jonathan Levine to direct the project.
Will Staples wrote the screenplay. Cruise will produce the film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
Fans Celebrate Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway’s ‘Days of Thunder 2’ News
Fans flooded the comments section with excitement after Cruise and Hathaway revealed the sequel.
One wrote, “OMG. This is the greatest news ever. I had an original DVD of Days Of Thunder when I was in school. So whenever I came back after school time, I used to put the disc in the player and watch Days Of Thunder. I have seen that film like 200 times. A sequel was my long-standing wish.”
Another fan said the announcement fulfilled a wish they had shared with their father for years.
“NO FREAKING WAYYYYYYY!!! My dad and I have been saying for YEARS this movie deserves a sequel! I’m actually so excited! 😍👏” the person added.
Hathaway’s involvement also generated plenty of enthusiasm. Another wrote, “Another Anne Hathaway movie? YES PLEASE.”
Others celebrated the chance to experience NASCAR action on the big screen when the movie arrives in 2028.
“NASCAR IN THEATERS IN BIG 2028‼️ THE WORLD IS HEALED ❤️🩹🔋🙏😭,” one fan shared.
Another viewer kept the reaction simple, adding, “This is the best news I’ve ever received.”
‘Days of Thunder 2’ Sets Summer 2028 Release
“Days of Thunder 2” will be filmed for IMAX and will also be available in Dolby Cinema, 4DX and other premium large formats.
The sequel marks another major franchise project for Cruise following decades of success with the “Mission: Impossible” movies and the blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick.”
The original “Days of Thunder” opened during the summer of 1990. Directed by the late Tony Scott, the movie earned $82.6 million domestically and $157.9 million worldwide, according to Business Insider.
Tom Cruise Returns as Cole Trickle
The first movie followed Cole, a talented but hotheaded rookie stock car driver who joined NASCAR and fought to overcome personal and professional setbacks. Cruise also helped conceive the story for the racing drama, which Robert Towne wrote. Don Simpson and Bruckheimer produced the film, Deadline reported.
The cast included Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, Michael Rooker and Caroline Williams. The movie also introduced Cruise to Nicole Kidman, whom he later married. Cruise and Kidman went on to appear together in “Far and Away” and “Eyes Wide Shut.”
Anne Hathaway Joins Another Major Sequel
GettyHathaway’s casting adds another high-profile movie to her busy schedule. She recently appeared in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “The Odyssey” and “The End of Oak Street.”
She will next be seen in “Verity,” which is scheduled to arrive in theaters in October. “Days of Thunder 2” marks the first time Cruise and Hathaway will share the screen.
Their upbeat announcement offered a glimpse of the chemistry they will bring to the racing sequel, while the June 2028 release date gives audiences a clear finish line for Cole Trickle’s return.
