Tom Cruise considering ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel – report

Three and a half decades after the NASCAR film Days of Thunder was filmed, The Hollywood Reporter claims Tom Cruise is looking at the possibility of a sequel.

On the back of the success of 2022's Top Gun: Maverick – the sequel to the original Top Gun movie of 1986 – the report says Cruise is in talks with production studio Paramount for two big-budget films: another Top Gun installation, and a sequel to Days of Thunder.

Days of Thunder tells the story of a talented driver making his way through NASCAR, dealing with fierce rivalries on and off track, self-confidence, and politics behind the curtain.

Known as the film where Tom Cruise met his Australian wife Nicole Kidman of 11 years, Days of Thunder was directed by Tony Scott, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer, and also starred Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, and Cary Elwes – with music by Hans Zimmer.

According to the report, Paramount had earlier pitched Days of Thunder as a television series – but the idea was shut down by Cruise.

"[Cruise is] talking [to Paramount] about Top Gun and Days of Thunder," an insider told The Hollywood Reporter.

"It’s going to be what comes together first in terms of a script. It depends on the idea and, ultimately, the script," they added.

It's said Cruise has final script approval in all of his projects.

With the F1 film said to see the ageing Brad Pitt return to the pits to coach a rookie driver – which is not entirely dissimilar to the plot of Maverick – filmmakers would need to find a fresh approach to use the 62-year-old Tom Cruise in a Days of Thunder sequel.

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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