Get Ready for Some Mello Yello, A Days Of Thunder Sequel Is Coming | Carscoops

      Tom Cruise and Jerry Bruckheimer have teamed up for a sequel to the NASCAR-themed film.

      After 35 years, a sequel to Days of Thunder is officially underway.

      Jerry Bruckheimer announced that he and Tom Cruise are collaborating on the project.

      Cruise is expected to reprise his role as an older, more seasoned Cole Trickle.

      Though Ethan Hunt recently concluded his eighth and final adventure, Tom Cruise is not stepping away from beloved roles. Instead, he will return as Cole Trickle.

      If the name doesn’t sound familiar, it’s understandable, as Cruise last portrayed the character in 1990’s Days of Thunder. The NASCAR film featured Cruise as a struggling young driver mentored by Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall. The cast also included Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker, and John C. Reilly.

      While 35 years is a significant gap between films, Hollywood seems to shy away from originality these days. Yet, Top Gun: Maverick demonstrated that an older Cruise film can not only continue but also improve after decades.

      Regarding Days of Thunder 2, Jerry Bruckheimer—who produced the original—has confirmed his collaboration with Cruise on the sequel during a conversation with ET. Bruckheimer remained vague about the details but mentioned to the entertainment outlet, “We’ll have something really exciting for an audience once we pull it together.”

      Bruckheimer did not share specifics, but he noted advancements in technology and filmmaking methods. He added, “Tom is a great individual who comes up with phenomenal ideas.”

      Although it seems the sequel is in its early developmental stages, there are various directions the movie could take. The most likely scenario involves Cruise stepping into a mentorship role akin to Duvall’s and supporting a young driver. This would closely mirror the original film and even 2006’s Cars.

      Regardless of the chosen direction, the sequel has the potential to surpass the original, which holds a low 38% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While that rating may be somewhat harsh, the film was moderately successful, reportedly earning over $87 million upon its initial release, a figure that has since grown to nearly $158 million.

      H/T Road & Track / Lead image credit: Chevrolet