Days of Thunder sequel sets Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway for 2028

The Days of Thunder sequel is on the starting grid: Tom Cruise will reprise NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, while Anne Hathaway joins the follow-up to the 1990 racing movie. Cruise and Hathaway announced the project with Paramount on Aug. 29, according to Rolling Stone and IndieWire.

The planned theatrical release date is June 2, 2028. Cruise posted the film’s title and its summer 2028 timing on X, Rolling Stone reported.

When is the Days of Thunder sequel coming out?

Paramount has scheduled the film for June 2, 2028, according to IndieWire. That is a planned release date, rather than a guarantee of when audiences will see it.

The original Days of Thunder, released in 1990, starred Cruise as Cole Trickle, a NASCAR driver. Paramount says he will return to that role in the new film.

Who will Anne Hathaway play?

Hathaway is set to play a team owner and engineer, according to Paramount’s description of the project quoted by Rolling Stone. The studio’s announcement paired the two actors in front of a race car carrying the sequel’s summer 2028 message.

In the announcement video, Hathaway said she would have her baby before making the movie, Rolling Stone reported. The clip did not offer story specifics.

Who is making the new film?

• Jonathan Levine is attached to direct.
• Will Staples is set to write the screenplay.
• Cruise will produce with Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.

Those credits and the character descriptions came from Paramount, as reported by Rolling Stone. IndieWire separately reported the same director, writer and producing team.

The announcements and reports cited here do not provide plot details, a production-start date or information on additional cast members. For now, Paramount has confirmed the two leads, the principal creative team and a date for the theatrical finish line.

This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.