- Tom Cruise is reportedly looking to make a sequel to the 1990 movie
- Scriptwriters are currently being sought for the project
- Cruise has a busy schedule with many projects in development
Tom Cruise has had recent success with a sequel to a classic action movie of his in 2022’s Top Gun: Maverick and now he’s reportedly turning his attention to another of his old favourites, Days of Thunder.
Buoyed by the success of his Top Gun sequel, Cruise is now talking to Paramount about making a follow-up to his 1990 racing film, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In Days of Thunder, Cruise played Cole Trickle, an impetuous but fast driver making his way in NASCAR. Along the way he battles fellow racers, eventually becoming close friends with his main rival, before taking on a new foe at Daytona.
A TV show based on Days of Thunder was in the works for Paramount+ at one point but that idea never progressed from the drawing board.
However, what could a Days of Thunder sequel look like? Here are a few ideas…
Cole Trickle makes a comeback
Could a retired Cole Trickle be tempted back to the racetrack for one last attempt to beat the young guns and take the Bill France Cup?
Trickle could get to grips with training, as well as competing against a much younger generation. Perhaps he could teach them a thing or two but learn something new along the way too?
Mentoring a young rookie driver
OK, this is a well-trodden path. The experienced and/or washed-up old driver (which could very well be modern-day Trickle) who spots the potential of a young upstart who’s fast but temperamental – and mentors them to success, with plenty of bumps in the road (literally and figuratively) before that.
That sequel story practically writes itself.
Trickle takes on another racing series
Having conquered NASCAR, could Trickle be tempted to take on another racing series? If he was to keep the US vibe going, perhaps he could move into Indycar racing, another high-action series with plenty of scope for drama.
Or maybe he could pitch up in Formula 1? Although, as Brad Pitt is already starring in one film set in that world, perhaps not.
This is just speculation, of course. We’re far from seeing Days of Thunder 2 at the cinema just yet.
Potential writers for a script are being assessed by Paramount, so the project is at an early stage. Another complicating factor is Cruise’s schedule.
The 62-year-old is about to start shooting on Alejandro G. Inarritus’ next movie, and he is looking to make another Top Gun movie too, so finding a free period could be tricky.
Still, we’re holding out hope that Days of Thunder 2 rounds the corner sooner rather than later.
