Jerry Bruckheimer Confirms Sequel to NASCAR Classic Days of Thunder Starring Tom Cruise

Hollywood and motorsport fans have reason to rejoice as Jerry Bruckheimer, the legendary co-producer behind the acclaimed F1 movie, has officially confirmed that a sequel to the NASCAR-themed cult classic Days of Thunder is in development. The iconic 1990 film, which starred Tom Cruise as a hotshot racecar driver, is set for a thrilling comeback more than three decades later.
The announcement follows a wave of speculation sparked when Cruise shared a nostalgic post last week on X (formerly Twitter), commemorating the 35th anniversary of his collaboration with the late director Tony Scott on the original Days of Thunder. Cruise’s expressed passion for racing films further ignited hopes for a follow-up.
In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Bruckheimer revealed:
“Well, there’s always new technologies. There’s always new ways to do things and to see things, and Tom is such a great individual – comes up with phenomenal ideas. So we’ll have something really exciting for an audience once we pull it together.”
This promising tease signals that the sequel will leverage modern filmmaking innovations, potentially delivering a fresh, adrenaline-pumping cinematic experience for both longtime fans and new audiences.
Adding to the buzz, former NASCAR driver and Hendrick Motorsports chairman Jeff Gordon — who is also friends with Cruise — confirmed his involvement and excitement for the project. Speaking to Newsweek Sports, Gordon emphasized the cultural impact of the original film and the potential boost a sequel could bring to NASCAR’s popularity:
“Let’s do Days of Thunder 2, I am all for that. Tom Cruise has told me it’s gonna happen, so let’s make it happen. I can’t go back to driving, I am too old for that, so gonna have to be one of our four or all four of our Hendrick drivers, Alex Bowman, Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, William Byron.”
Gordon acknowledged the original film’s pivotal role in NASCAR’s growth during the 1990s and expressed enthusiasm about the sport’s resurgence through new media formats:
“There’s this kind of resurgence, which is awesome, and there’s also a whole new landscape of opportunities with streaming services and docuseries and also the big screen, which I think it would be amazing to do.”
He also revealed ongoing conversations with Cruise, affirming their shared desire to make the project a reality:
“I’ve absolutely talked to Tom about it because I want him to do the project, and we want to be a part of it if it were to happen.”
With NASCAR’s momentum building and a growing appetite for motorsport content on streaming platforms, Days of Thunder 2 could not be more timely. The collaboration between Bruckheimer and Cruise, combined with the involvement of NASCAR’s top drivers, promises an authentic and electrifying depiction of the sport’s evolution.
Fans should stay tuned for further updates as production plans solidify. In the meantime, the prospect of revisiting the high-speed world of Days of Thunder offers a thrilling glimpse into what could become the next great racing film.
If you’d like, I can help you craft a detailed timeline or a feature interview preview for the Days of Thunder sequel!