Tom Cruise is officially bringing back Cole Trickle, his iconic NASCAR driver character, in a sequel to the 1990 film *Days of Thunder*. The announcement came on August 29, 2026, confirming that Cruise will reprise his role alongside Anne Hathaway, who will play a team owner and engineer. The new movie, directed by Jonathan Levine, will be filmed for IMAX and aims for a summer 2028 release, revitalizing one of NASCAR’s most famous Hollywood portrayals nearly four decades after the original debuted.

The original *Days of Thunder* was loosely inspired by the career of NASCAR star Tim Richmond and helped introduce NASCAR to a broader audience beyond its traditional Southern fan base. Its mix of high-speed racing, drama, and iconic relationships — like that between Trickle and his crew chief Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall — made the film a lasting favorite among racing fans. Hendrick Motorsports played a significant role in the original movie by providing cars and technical expertise, and NASCAR’s renewed cultural presence in recent years has set the perfect stage for this follow-up.

Speculation about a sequel has been ongoing for years, with NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon expressing enthusiasm about the project in 2025. Gordon highlighted the advances in filming technology that could allow the sequel to capture authentic racing scenes in ways that weren’t possible during the original. Cruise’s prior success with the *Top Gun* sequel also builds confidence that *Days of Thunder* can once again captivate audiences both on and off the track.

Promotions for the new film are already underway, with Cruise and Hathaway spotted at Daytona International Speedway filming. NASCAR fans can expect to see significant movie activity at tracks throughout 2027, leading up to the June 2, 2028 IMAX premiere. This event symbolizes a major moment for NASCAR's crossover appeal, as fans prepare to reconnect with Cole Trickle and the high-octane drama of stock car racing on the big screen.