TOM CRUISE ANNOUNCES DAYS OF THUNDER 2 WITH ANNE HATHAWAY

Tom Cruise announced at a NASCAR Cup Series drivers meeting at Daytona that a sequel to Days of Thunder is officially in development, with release scheduled for summer 2028. Cruise appeared in person at the meeting and posted a video on social media beforehand featuring actress Anne Hathaway alongside a stock car bearing the film's title and release date. Hathaway will appear in the film, though her role has not been disclosed. Production is expected to begin after Hathaway gives birth to her third child with husband Adam Shulman.

The original Days of Thunder was filmed at the same Daytona track in 1990, nearly four decades before the sequel announcement. Cruise recounted an incident during that production in which the hood of a car became detached whilst he was performing scenes at high speed, causing the vehicle to catch fire. He joked with the drivers about persistent radio malfunctions at the venue, suggesting the technical issues remained unresolved. The wider cast for the sequel and Cruise's specific role in the film remain unconfirmed.

The announcement marks a significant commitment to the NASCAR film franchise, with both Cruise and Hathaway attached to the project at a substantial scale. No other cast members or production details have been revealed. The 2028 release date represents a four-year development period from the announcement.