Tom Cruise Is Considering a Days of Thunder Sequel – Report

It seems Top Gun 3 and Mission: Impossible 8 isn’t enough for Tom Cruise, as he’s eyeing another somewhat surprising sequel.

Per a The Hollywood Reporter article on Friday, Cruise is in talks with Paramount for a potential follow-up to his 1990 NASCAR drama Days of Thunder. The article notes that talks are still early, and Cruise’s involvement will be contingent on the script, with the studio on the hunt for writers currently, and his continually packed schedule.

Of all the projects for Cruise to take on, a return to Days of Thunder is certainly an unexpected one. The original wasn’t a massive hit at the box office or with critics at the time, although it’s undergone something of a critical reassessment over the decades. Plus, Top Gun Maverick’s blockbuster success has proven you shouldn’t underestimate the nostalgia of a Tom Cruise action flick.

However, the THR report adds that Top Gun 3 is “top priority” for both Cruise and Paramount, so don’t expect that to take a backseat to Days of Thunder 2. Mission: Impossible 8 is still happening amid all this too and, according to the article, has racked up a budget that’s approaching a jaw-dropping $400 million. That’s currently in post-production and is set to hit theaters on May 23, 2025.

Days of Thunder was directed by the late Tony Scott, and starred Cruise as a young racecar driver hungry to make a name for himself in NASCAR. It also starred Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, Caroline Williams, and Michael Rooker.

It’s unclear what a potential sequel would be about, but we’ll just have to wait and see if it even properly revs up its engines first. In the meantime, check out our ranking of the 10 best Cruise films.

Alex Stedman is a Senior News Editor with IGN, overseeing entertainment reporting. When she’s not writing or editing, you can find her reading fantasy novels or playing Dungeons & Dragons.