‘Days of Thunder' sequel set for 2028 with Tom Cruise, Anne Hathaway

Tom Cruise is returning to the racetrack for a sequel to Days of Thunder, with Anne Hathaway joining the cast of the upcoming film. Paramount Pictures and the two stars announced the project on Saturday, August 29, confirming that Cruise will reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. Hathaway will play a team owner and engineer, marking the first time the two actors will appear together on screen. The sequel is scheduled to hit theatres on June 2, 2028, and will be filmed for IMAX as well as other premium large formats. Tom Cruise returns as Cole Trickle Cruise, 64, will also produce the film alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Jonathan Levine, known for Warm Bodies, 50/50 and Long Shot, will direct the sequel from a screenplay by Will Staples. To announce the project, Paramount released a photograph of Cruise and Hathaway at Daytona International Speedway, where the pair posed beside a green race car. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tom Cruise (@tomcruise) The actors also shared a video announcement on their social media accounts, confirming the return of the racing franchise. Anne Hathaway joins 'Days of Thunder' franchise Hathaway, 43, will take on a new role in the franchise as a team owner and engineer. The sequel will introduce her character to the world of NASCAR while bringing Cruise back to one of his earlier iconic roles more than three decades after the original. Fans quickly reacted to the announcement, with social media users expressing excitement over the pairing and the long-awaited sequel. Original film released in 1990 The original Days of Thunder was directed by Tony Scott and released in 1990. Cruise starred alongside Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker and Cary Elwes in the racing drama. The film also marked Cruise's first on-screen pairing with Nicole Kidman and helped propel Kidman to international stardom. The upcoming sequel will reunite Cruise with the franchise more than 30 years after the original, while bringing Hathaway into the story for the first time.