‘Days of Thunder 2’: Jonathan Levine in Talks to Direct Tom Cruise in Paramount’s Racing Sequel (Exclusive)
Paramount is moving forward with a sequel to the 1990 racing drama Days of Thunder. Tom Cruise is attached to star in and produce the project, marking it as a significant addition to his upcoming production slate. Jerry Bruckheimer, who produced the original film, is returning to produce alongside Cruise.
Jonathan Levine is in negotiations to direct the film. The studio interest in Levine comes after strong internal responses to his upcoming sports drama Mr. Irrelevant, which features David Corenswet. Levine holds a diverse track record in Hollywood, having directed projects ranging from the cancer dramedy 50/50 to the zombie romance Warm Bodies and various comedies.
Will Staples wrote the script for this new installment. Staples previously worked on the screenplays for Without Remorse and high-profile video game titles such as Call of Duty 3: Modern Warfare. While specific plot points remain under wraps, the project represents a return to the high-speed racing world that defined the original movie.
The original Days of Thunder was directed by Tony Scott and focused on the life of hotshot NASCAR driver Cole Trickle. The 1990 film featured Robert Duvall and Nicole Kidman, cementing its place as a notable entry in Cruise’s filmography. Industry observers are tracking the development closely as Paramount looks to capitalize on the legacy of the property.