More than three decades after Tom Cruise first took over the racetrack in ‘Days of Thunder’, the actor is now officially gearing up for another lap.Paramount Pictures has reportedly accelerated plans for a sequel to the 1990 racing drama, which starred Cruise as legendary NASCAR driver Cole Trickle.
Paramount revs up sequel plans
According to industry reports, Paramount has set its sights on Jonathan Levine to direct ‘Days of Thunder 2’. While negotiations are still underway, Levine is the studio’s top choice to helm the sequel, following strong early reactions to his upcoming sports drama ‘Mr. Irrelevant’, starring David Corenswet, which is slated for a Christmas Day release.
Cruise returns as Cole Trickle
Released in 1990, Days of Thunder starred Cruise as talented but reckless NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, whose rise through the racing world was marked by fierce rivalries, spectacular crashes and victories on the track.
‘Days of Thunder’ synopsis
In ‘Days of Thunder’ Tom Cruise played race driver Cole Trickle, whose talent and ambition are surpassed only by his burning need to win. Discovered by businessman Tim Daland (Randy Quaid), Cole is teamed with legendary crew chief and car-builder Harry Hogge (Academy Award. winner Robert Duvall) to race for the Winston Cup at the Daytona 500. A fiery crash nearly ends Cole’s career and he must turn to a beautiful doctor (Nicole Kidman) to regain his nerve and the true courage needed to race, to win and to live.Directed by the late Tony Scott, the film reunited Cruise with the filmmaker after the massive success of ‘Top Gun’. Although it did not match the box office heights of their earlier collaboration, ‘Days of Thunder’ went on to become one of Cruise’s most popular action dramas and has since developed a loyal fan following.The original film also featured an acclaimed supporting cast including Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Cary Elwes and Randy Quaid.
Will Nicole Kidman return?
News of the sequel has quickly sparked speculation on social media, with many fans wondering whether Nicole Kidman will reprise her role as Dr. Claire Lewicki, the neurosurgeon and love interest of Cole Trickle.Kidman and Cruise famously met while filming ‘Days of Thunder’ before marrying later that year. The pair subsequently starred together in films including ‘Far and Away’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’ before divorcing in 2001. The former couple adopted children Isabella Jane Cruise (born December 1992) and Connor Anthony Cruise (born January 1995), who were raised primarily by Cruise in the Church of Scientology, a practice they continue to follow today.
Cruise’s next big-screen outing
Cruise will not only return in front of the camera but will also serve as a producer alongside Jerry Bruckheimer, who also produced the original blockbuster.The sequel is expected to become Cruise’s next production following his recent slate of blockbuster releases, continuing the actor’s trend of revisiting some of his most iconic franchises after the success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.Plot details for Days of Thunder 2 remain under wraps, and Paramount has yet to announce a release date.
