Released in 1990, Days of Thunder was more than a movie about NASCAR racing — it was a statement of style by Tom Cruise at the height of his youth, adrenaline, and partnership with Tony Scott. Now, 35 years later, Cruise is once again accelerating toward a sequel to the classic, repeating a formula that already proved highly successful: reviving an iconic character by blending nostalgia with modern spectacle. If Top Gun: Maverick was the rehearsal, Days of Thunder 2 promises to be the crowning achievement of this new revival era.

The Original Film: A Race of Ego, Love, and Gasoline

In the first Days of Thunder, Tom Cruise played Cole Trickle, a young and impulsive driver coming from open-wheel racing, trying to break into NASCAR. His raw talent, combined with arrogance, puts him on a collision course with veteran drivers and his own physical and emotional limits. The film follows his rise, fall, and redemption — aided by Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall), his crew chief, and Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman), a physician who helps him recover from a near-fatal crash and becomes his romantic partner.

The cast also featured Randy Quaid, Michael Rooker, and Cary Elwes, and the film was directed by Tony Scott, with a screenplay by Robert Towne and produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer — the same trio behind the success of Top Gun years earlier.

Despite mixed reviews at the time (some critics saw the film as a fast-paced rehash of Top Gun with cars), Days of Thunder was a box office success, grossing over $150 million worldwide and becoming a pop culture landmark in American motorsports.

Behind the Scenes: Romance, Tension, and Hollywood Legends

Behind the cameras, the film became famous for two reasons: the birth of the romance between Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, who would soon marry and become one of the most high-profile couples of the decade, and the chaotic production itself, marked by multiple rewrites, disputes between producers and the director, and a grueling filming schedule.

It was also Cruise’s first immersion into the world of NASCAR, something that deeply captivated him. Since then, he has maintained a connection with motorsports and has never hidden his desire to revisit Cole Trickle, as long as the right story came along.

Why Now?

The short answer: Top Gun: Maverick. The enormous success of the 2022 film, which grossed nearly $1.5 billion worldwide, proved that audiences still crave to see Tom Cruise reprising his iconic roles — as long as they are updated with emotional depth, cutting-edge visuals, and meaningful character arcs.

Cruise understood that the secret isn’t just revival — it’s evolution. Maverick portrayed a timeworn character, flawed but still driven by passion. The idea now is to apply the same model to Cole Trickle: what happens to a man who once ruled the track when age, regret, and time catch up?

What We Know About the Sequel

The sequel is still in early development, but insider reports suggest that the story could follow Cole as a mentor or team owner, facing a new generation of drivers. He would also grapple with personal challenges — health, legacy, and unresolved issues from his past.

Cruise is expected to produce the film through Skydance, once again partnering with the team behind Maverick. Joseph Kosinski (director of Top Gun: Maverick) is reportedly in early talks to direct. NASCAR is also said to be on board to provide technical support and authenticity.

Who’s Returning? Who Might Join?

• Tom Cruise: 100% confirmed and creatively involved.
• Robert Duvall: At 94, his return is uncertain, but a cameo is possible and highly anticipated.
• Michael Rooker (Rowdy Burns): Likely, given his continued good relationship with Cruise.
• Nicole Kidman: The big unknown.

Nicole Kidman: An Unlikely but Powerful Return

Kidman played Claire Lewicki with strength and elegance — one of the first female characters in Hollywood to be portrayed as a respected sports physician. Her return would be symbolic, not just for her emotional history with the film, but for a potential on-screen reunion with Cruise, with whom she hasn’t worked since Eyes Wide Shut (1999).

Despite decades apart professionally and personally, there is no public animosity between the two. Kidman has focused her career on complex, dramatic roles and high-prestige TV projects, but she has never shied away from challenging or unexpected opportunities. Her involvement would likely depend on the strength of the script and the narrative space given to Claire — not just as a love interest, but as a woman with her own arc and evolution.

There are rumors that Kidman has been approached informally, and producers are said to be eager to include her, even in a small yet significant role.

What About Brad Pitt?

Although nothing is confirmed, Brad Pitt’s name has surfaced as a possible addition to the cast — either as a rival to Cole or as a veteran driver in his own right. Pitt is already involved in a Formula 1 film for Apple and has shown a strong interest in motorsports.

Cruise and Pitt haven’t shared the screen since Interview with the Vampire (1994), and seeing them together again — this time in a high-octane racing epic — would be a cinematic event in itself.

The sequel to Days of Thunder is more than a nostalgic revival. It’s a story of memory, reinvention, and potential reconciliation — both onscreen and off. If Tom Cruise manages to replicate the balance of spectacle and emotion that he achieved in Top Gun: Maverick, he could once again cross the finish line in triumph.

And who knows? If Nicole Kidman does return — even briefly — this race might just become legendary.