Anne Hathaway Joins Tom Cruise in ‘Days of Thunder’ Follow-Up; Paramount Sets Release Date (EXCLUSIVE)

Tom Cruise has announced that a sequel to the 1990 film "Days of Thunder" will be released in 2028, marking nearly four decades since its original debut. Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, a talented young stock car racer, alongside Anne Hathaway, who is set to portray a team owner and engineer. The sequel, scheduled for a June 2, 2028 release, will be a high-profile event, aiming for exclusive IMAX screenings and theater premieres.

Director Jonathan Levine, known for "Long Shot" and "Mr. Irrelevant," has been tasked with bringing the sequel to life, with Cruise and veteran producer Jerry Bruckheimer at the helm, alongside Tommy Harper. The original "Days of Thunder" follows Cole Trickle's journey in the world of NASCAR, culminating in a race for the Daytona 500 title.

The film has remained culturally significant over the years, even influencing British racing legend Jenson Button, who credited the movie for sparking his love of NASCAR. The 2028 sequel's production has been influenced by the success of "F1," the 2009 Brad Pitt-starring film that grossed over $600 million worldwide. Discussions for the sequel gained momentum after the box office triumph of "F1."

NASCAR legend Kyle Busch, who passed away in May, was involved in an outline discussion for the new film, with his nickname "Rowdy" paying homage to the original film's character played by Michael Rooker. While specific details on the plot of "Days of Thunder 2" remain scarce, it is believed that the actual NASCAR weekly series will serve as a key backdrop in the film's key scenes, similar to the original.