More than three decades after Days of Thunder roared into theaters, it looks like Paramount is finally ready to bring Cole Trickle back to the track. The long-discussed sequel is picking up speed, and it sounds like the studio has found the filmmaker it wants leading the charge.
According to the latest reports, Jonathan Levine is in negotiations to direct Days of Thunder 2, with Tom Cruise returning to star and Jerry Bruckheimer once again producing. The project is reportedly being lined up as Cruise’s next movie, which makes it clear Paramount isn’t treating this as just another legacy sequel.
The original Days of Thunder hit theaters in 1990 and reunited Cruise with Top Gun director Tony Scott. While it never reached the same cultural heights as Top Gun, it carved out its own place as one of Cruise’s most entertaining action dramas.
He played fearless NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, a racer who pushed every limit while battling rivals on the track, wrecking plenty of cars, falling in love, and chasing Daytona 500 glory.
The film also featured an impressive cast that included Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Cary Elwes, and Randy Quaid, helping turn it into a fan favorite that has only grown in popularity over the years.
As for the sequel, Paramount is keeping story details locked away for now. The screenplay comes from Will Staples, whose credits include work on the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 video game and co-writing the Michael B. Jordan action thriller Without Remorse.
Levine is an interesting choice to take over the franchise because his filmography is anything but predictable. He first made waves with the horror film All the Boys Love Mandy Lane before shifting to indie coming-of-age comedy with The Wackness.
From there he tackled the heartfelt cancer dramedy 50/50, the romantic zombie hit Warm Bodies, and comedies like The Night Before and Long Shot, which starred Charlize Theron alongside Seth Rogen.
More recently, Levine has been working in television, directing episodes of Hulu’s Nine Perfect Strangers, which stars Kidman and was co-created by David E. Kelley.
His hiring also reflects Paramount’s confidence in his upcoming sports drama Mr. Irrelevant. The film stars David Corenswet and is set for a Christmas Day theatrical release.
Early test screenings this spring reportedly generated an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response, giving the studio plenty of confidence as it looks toward another sports-centered project.
It’s easy to see why Paramount would want to revisit Days of Thunder now. Cruise has spent the last several years reminding audiences that practical action movies still draw massive crowds, and after the enormous success of Top Gun: Maverick, bringing another one of his classic films back for a new chapter feels like a natural move.
Whether Days of Thunder 2 follows Cole Trickle mentoring a new generation of drivers or throws him back into the driver’s seat for one last run remains a mystery.
