Tom Cruise in Early Talks for ‘Days of Thunder’ Sequel

Tom Cruise could be going back to the racetrack.

In the wake of his record breaking success with “Top Gun: Maverick,” Cruise is in early negotiations with Paramount for a sequel to “Days of Thunder,” his 1990 NASCAR drama that, like the first “Top Gun,” was directed by the late Tony Scott and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (with his late producing partner Don Simpson). No other creatives are in place, and Cruise’s full docket — promoting “Mission: Impossible 8,” filming Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s next movie, and developing another “Top Gun” movie — mean this project is far off from starting its engines. A representative for Paramount could not be reached for comment.

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Bruckheimer, who also produced “Top Gun: Maverick,” has also been involved in discussions about returning for the project, according to sources.

The first film follows the exploits of the impeccably named Cole Trickle, a scrappy race car driver recruited to a new NASCAR team led by a retired racing legend played by Robert Duvall. Cruise’s connection to the film is considerable: He got his first and, to date, only official writing credit on the film for developing the story with screenwriter Robert Towne. And it’s where he met Nicole Kidman, to whom he was married for 11 years, and who made her Hollywood debut playing a neurosurgeon who falls in love with Cole.

The movie opened to modest box office (for Cruise), earning $157.9 million globally in unadjusted grosses, and a tepid reception among critics, but has since risen in esteem. Racing films have also become in vogue of late, from 2019’s “Ford v Ferrari” to next year’s Brad Pitt vehicle “F1,” from “Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski.

The Hollywood Reporter first reported the existence of the project.

Katcy Stephan contributed to this story.