Anne Hathaway is joining Tom Cruise in the upcoming Days of Thunder sequel, nearly 40 years after the original racing movie was released. Paramount Pictures has set the new film for June 2, 2028, giving fans of the 1990 classic a chance to see Cruise return to one of his early action roles.
The Days of Thunder sequel will bring Cruise back as Cole Trickle, the talented but determined NASCAR driver he played in the original movie. Hathaway will play a new character who works as a racecar team owner and engineer. While Paramount has not revealed many story details yet, the combination of Cruise and Hathaway is expected to give the new film a different dynamic from the original.
The sequel is planned for a major theatrical release and will be filmed for IMAX screens. It will also be available in premium formats such as Dolby Cinema and 4DX. Cruise recently shared a promotional image from a NASCAR track with Hathaway, confirming that the two stars will lead the new project.
Jonathan Levine, known for films such as Long Shot and Mr. Irrelevant, will direct the Days of Thunder sequel. Cruise will also produce the movie with veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
Bruckheimer produced the original Days of Thunder and has continued to work with Cruise on major action films, including the Top Gun franchise.
The original Days of Thunder was directed by Tony Scott and released in 1990. Cruise played Cole Trickle, a young driver who gets a chance to compete in NASCAR after being recruited to a new racing team by a retired racing champion, played by Robert Duvall.
The film also featured Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, and John C. Reilly. The movie became known for its high-speed racing scenes and helped strengthen Cruise’s reputation as a leading action star. The return of Cole Trickle comes at an important time for Cruise, who has continued to focus on large-scale theatrical movies and action projects.
His recent work has kept him closely connected with major franchises, especially the Mission: Impossible and Top Gun series. The Days of Thunder sequel will give him another opportunity to revisit a well-known character while introducing the story to a new generation of moviegoers.
Hathaway has also had a busy period in her career.
In 2026, she appeared in several major movies, including Mother Mary, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Odyssey, and The End of Oak Street. She is also set to appear in Verity, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel.
Beyond Verity, Hathaway recently finished work on the Adam Driver military drama Alone at Dawn. She is also involved in a third Princess Diaries movie, continuing the popular Disney series that helped make her a major star early in her career.
With Cruise returning as Cole Trickle and Hathaway taking on a new role within the racing world, the Days of Thunder sequel is shaping up as another major Hollywood comeback project. More details about the story, additional cast members, and production schedule are expected to be announced before the film reaches theaters on June 2, 2028.
This version keeps the language simple while adding useful background about the original movie, the filmmakers, the stars, and why the sequel is notable.
