Tom Cruise to reprise Cole Trickle in Paramount's Days of Thunder 2; Jonathan Levine in talks to direct

Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a sequel to the 1990 racing drama *Days of Thunder*. Star Tom Cruise will return as the impulsive NASCAR driver Cole Trickle and will also serve as a producer alongside longtime collaborator Jerry Bruckheimer.

The studio has engaged director Jonathan Levine, known for *50/50* and *Warm Bodies*, to helm the project, although negotiations are still ongoing. The screenplay is being written by Will Staples, who has previously worked on video‑game narratives such as *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3* and the action film *Without Remorse*.

The sequel is being positioned as Cruise’s next major franchise effort following the massive success of *Top Gun: Maverick*. No details on the plot, release date or returning cast members have been confirmed, and filming is expected to begin in early 2027. The development reflects Hollywood’s current trend of reviving nostalgic titles to attract broad audiences.