The Thrilling Announcement of a Sequel
The News That Set Hearts Racing
In an astonishing Friday afternoon revelation, it seems that Tom Cruise is finally embarking on the journey of creating a sequel to “Days of Thunder”. The news, broken by The Hollywood Reporter, has sent waves of excitement through the entertainment world. Cruise is currently in discussions with Paramount regarding the production of this sequel to the 1990 NASCAR – themed film. When the push notification reached me, I couldn’t help but let out an exuberant cheer.
The Surprising and Not – So – Surprising Aspect of the Sequel
Debating the Choice of Sequel
Many non – car – focused media outlets have expressed surprise at the decision to make a “Days of Thunder” sequel, considering the movie’s initial performance. With a budget of $60 million, it grossed $157 million and received mixed reviews. However, I find it far from astonishing. In fact, I’m more shocked that it has taken this long. Cruise, known for his love of cars and penchant for performing his own stunts, must surely be enticed by the idea of a modern NASCAR movie. As The Hollywood Reporter noted, this isn’t the first time a sequel has been proposed. But after the success of “Top Gun: Maverick” and films like “Ferrari”, the idea has gained more momentum.
Previous Attempts and the Current Situation
Having revitalized and modernized 1984’s “Top Gun” with the 2022 blockbuster “Top Gun: Maverick”, Cruise believes he can work similar magic with “Days of Thunder”. This racing drama, like the original “Top Gun”, was a Paramount film produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. There was once an attempt to reboot “Days of Thunder” as a TV show for Paramount +, but Cruise rejected the idea. A Paramount source said, “I don’t think a [Days of Thunder sequel] is a terrible idea. You might have said that revisiting Top Gun was a terrible idea. I wouldn’t discount it.”
The Racing Film Trend and the Challenges Ahead
The Current Racing Film Landscape
Racing films have recently become quite fashionable. With the success of James Mangold’s 2019 “Ford v Ferrari”, Michael Mann’s 2023 “Ferrari”, and the upcoming 2025 F1 movie starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski, the genre is thriving. However, this glut of fast – cars – on – tracks projects also makes the resurrection of “Days of Thunder” more challenging. After all, imagine if “Top Gun: Maverick” had been released after three other fighter pilot movies. Nevertheless, none of these other films specifically explore the NASCAR racing world, which has a distinct Americana charm compared to the more European – based Le Mans and Formula 1 circuits.
Cruise’s Busy Schedule and the Uncertainties
The main hurdles at present are Cruise’s hectic schedule. He is currently occupied with the next “Mission: Impossible” film, a new project with Alejandro G. Iñárritu, another “Top Gun” sequel, and he even has a space – themed movie in the pipeline. Key factors for the “Days of Thunder” sequel include the script, as the studio is currently seeking potential writers, and Cruise’s packed agenda. Cruise is about to start shooting Iñárritu’s mysterious new film for Warner Bros./Legendary, developing a space – set movie with Doug Liman for Universal, and working on a “Top Gun: Maverick” sequel, which is a top priority for both him and Paramount.
The Future of the Project: Script and Director Speculations
There are no rumors or leads regarding who will write the script or direct the film. It’s likely too early for these decisions. As The Hollywood Reporter pointed out, Joseph Kosinski, despite being an obvious choice, is unlikely to direct as he’s busy with the F1 movie. I’d love to see Christopher McQuarrie take on the project, although he might be focused on the “Mission: Impossible” franchise. Of course, Jerry Bruckheimer will probably be involved regardless of who is in charge. It would also be exciting to see new or unexpected talents write and direct the new “Days of Thunder”. After all, cars and action movies appeal to everyone.
Discussion about this post