Report: Tom Cruise in talks for NASCAR cult classic 'Days of Thunder' sequel

More than 30 years after its release, Tom Cruise is looking into a sequel to the NASCAR cult classic Days of Thunder, The Hollywood Reporter reported. He is talking to Paramount about another chapter to the story.

In the 1990 film, Cruise played Cole Trickle, a young hotshot driver. He and rival Rowdy Burns get injured in a crash, leading Trickle to be replaced by another up-and-comer named Russ Wheeler. Although Trickle recovers from his injuries, Burns is unable to, which is why he asks Trickle to race his car in the Daytona 500.

Cruise headlined an impressive cast in Days of Thunder. Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Nicole Kidman, Michael Rooker and John C. Reilly also played prominent roles in the film.

In addition to a potential Days of Thunder sequel, Cruise is also in talks with Paramount about another sequel to Top Gun after the success of Maverick in 2021. He’s also preparing to star in a film by Alejandro G. Iñárritu – which doesn’t yet have a title – as well as another from Doug Linman set in space.

NASCAR has previously expressed its interest in a sequel to Days of Thunder. COO Steve O’Donnell told Sports Business Journal NASCAR would be open to another film, especially after Top Gun: Maverick became a box office hit.

“We’d love to see that,” O’Donnell told Adam Stern in February. “The more places we can expose NASCAR to with a broader audience, the better. With Netflix, when they’re advertising us in the middle of Times Square right now [for the ‘Full Speed’ docuseries] — that’s huge, and it shows what a great partner they already have been.

“So anytime you can expose the sport outside of a regular race weekend broadcast is big for us.”

News of a potential Days of Thunder sequel comes as Netflix’s Full Speed docuseries gained popularity. In fact, NASCAR agreed to renew the series, although some teams were reportedly preparing to opt out amid the ongoing charter negotiations.

“It’s such a natural partnership for NASCAR Studios and for me personally,” said John Dahl, NASCAR’s vice president of content. “I have so much respect and appreciation for Connor. We’ve had a great working relationship and friendship going back to the creation of ESPN Films and 30 for 30, and I’m excited about all the possibilities we can explore in this new chapter.”