A sequel to 1990’s “Days of Thunder” is now officially in development at Paramount. Tom Cruise is set to return in the lead role. For obvious reasons, Nicole Kidman won’t be back (via THR).
This is a rather odd idea of a sequel, isn’t it? “Days of Thunder” was critically panned, grossed $157M globally, and hasn’t necessarily gained a large following. Then again, look at what Cruise did with “Top Gun: Maverick.” Anything is possible, and I bet the actor believes lightning can strike twice again for him with another modernized sequel.
The ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel is currently looking for a writer, and director. It’s yet another project being added to Cruise’s ever-expanding roster of potential films. The actor has quite a few in the works, including Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s next film, Christopher McQuarrie’s “Broadsword,” Joseph Kosinski’s “Top Gun 3,” and Doug Liman’s NASA movie.
One source tells THR that Cruise is “talking to Paramount about ‘Top Gun 3’ and ‘Days of Thunder 2,’ and that “t’s going to be what comes together first in terms of a script. It depends on the idea and, ultimately, the script.”
There have been plenty of racing films these last few years, and a ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel wouldn’t be out of the ordinary in terms of its commercial prospects; Kosinski’s “F1,” starring Brad Pitt, is coming out next year, but that one is skewed more towards European racing, whereas ‘Days of Thunder’ would likely adhere to the millions upon millions of NASCAR fans in the U.S.
Set in the world of NASCAR, “Days of Thunder” tackled the rivarly between hotshot rookie Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise) and veteran racer Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker). When both of them are seriously injured in competition, the former bitter rivals become close friends.
Jerry Bruckheimer, who also happens to be the ‘Top Gun’ producer will be back for the ‘Days of Thunder’ sequel which had originally been pitched to Cruise as a TV show for Paramount+ (Cruise nixed the idea). The late Tony Scott directed the original 1990 film.