Tom Cruise is set to return for a sequel to the 1990 film Days of Thunder, which has officially been greenlit with a firm release date. The new movie will hit theaters on June 2, 2028, and Cruise will reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. Anne Hathaway has also joined the cast as a team owner and engineer in the project. Jerry Bruckheimer is returning as producer for the film, ensuring it will be a high-budget spectacle. Jonathan Levine, known for directing Nine Perfect Strangers, is attached to direct the sequel.
The original Days of Thunder has a low Rotten Tomatoes rating but still earned back its budget worldwide. The film was directed by Tony Scott and starred Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, and Michael Rooker in addition to Tom Cruise. The sequel’s screenplay is being written by Will Staples, and it will be filmed in IMAX format with a release in Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and premium large formats.
Cruise announced the sequel himself, signaling that the project is moving forward from speculation, according to Yahoo News. The original Days of Thunder had a high production cost and was known for its extravagant sets, including an entire section of a hotel converted into a gym. Despite mixed reviews, the movie made a profit thanks to Cruise’s star power and strong box office performance. The sequel is expected to follow a similar formula with familiar faces and proven producers.
Meanwhile, The Rookie franchise will be expanding with a new spinoff titled The Rookie: North, according to a report from cinemablend.com. Jay Ellis will star in the spinoff as Alex Holland, a rookie cop who joins the force after years of failed commitments.
Ellis is known for his role as Lieutenant Reuben “Payback” Fitch in Top Gun: Maverick, which was released in 2022. Although it’s been four years since that film, Ellis still holds a fondness for it and has expressed interest in returning for a third Top Gun movie. Ellis told Us Weekly he would love to see Cruise appear on The Rookie: North, either as himself or as a character. He joked that Cruise is likely too busy promoting his latest film Digger, which required method acting. While a cameo from Cruise seems unlikely, fans are excited about the possibility of other appearances.
Ellis also mentioned he’d like to see some of his former co-stars from Top Gun: Maverick and other shows appear on the spinoff. He named Insecure, Running Point, and All Her Fault as examples of shows he’d love to bring in guest stars from. Ellis joked that he would be calling all those actors to see if they’re interested in joining the show. Whether or not these appearances happen remains to be seen, but Ellis is enthusiastic about bringing more familiar faces to The Rookie: North.
The spinoff is expected to premiere in 2027, and crossovers between it and the original show are already confirmed.
IMAGE: Tom Cruise speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.. Photo: Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia, taken 2019-07-18, CC BY-SA 3.0