Anne Hathaway Joins Tom Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder 2’ — Sets June 2, 2028 Release

A major update on Tom Cruise’s next project.

Anne Hathaway will star opposite Cruise in “Days of Thunder 2,” according to Variety. Paramount Pictures has dated the feature-film sequel for June 2, 2028 release. A teaser poster was also unveiled, which can be seen below.

Hathaway is set to play a racecar team owner and engineer. Cruise will reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. Jonathan Levine (“Long Shot,” “Mr. Irrelevant”) is confirmed to direct.

Levine got a “strong vote of confidence” from Paramount as his next film, “Mr. Irrelevant,” continues to deliver incredible test scores and is now primed for a wide Christmas Day release.

There are no plot details for the sequel, and, for obvious reasons, Nicole Kidman will likely not be back as Cruise’s love interest. The script is penned by Will Staples, who has written video games, including “Call of Duty 3: Modern Warfare,” and co-wrote the Michael B. Jordan action movie “Without Remorse.”

Cruise continues his partnership with David Ellison, who backed “Top Gun: Maverick” and the last few “Mission: Impossible” movies. Paramount revisiting the 1990 NASCAR-set “Days of Thunder” is quite the risk. It’s a rather odd idea for a sequel, isn’t it? The film was critically panned, grossed $157 million globally, and hasn’t necessarily gained a large following among this generation — although NASCAR fans might really like it. Then again, look at what Cruise did with “Top Gun: Maverick.” Anything is possible, and I bet the actor believes lightning can strike twice for him with another legacy sequel.

Hathaway has had quite the year, with four movies released, including “Mother Mary,” “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” “The Odyssey” and “The End of Oak Street.” This fall, she will star in her fifth 2026 release, the Colleen Hoover adaptation “Verity.” She’s also wrapped production on the Ron Howard-directed “Alone at Dawn,” opposite Adam Driver.

Levine — whom I’ve always liked — has a reliable track record. In 2011, he directed the well-reviewed stoner-cancer dramedy “50/50” and the holiday stoner comedy “The Night Before,” which has quietly become a rewatch favorite during the Christmas season. He also helmed the hit comedy “Long Shot,” which starred Charlize Theron alongside Seth Rogen. “Warm Bodies,” his well-received 2013 zombie comedy, was also a hit at the box office, grossing $118 million.