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It’s been over 35 years since Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman met on the set of Days Of Thunder, and now Tom is in for a sequel.
Days Of Thunder 2 is reportedly a-go, with the 63-year-old confirmed to return as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle.
In the 1990 original, Tom starred opposite then-ingenue Nicole Kidman, who played Trickle’s love interest, Dr Claire Lewicki.
A romantic relationship developed between Tom and Nicole on the set of Days Of Thunder in 1989, and the two were married a year later in December 1990.
As we know now, the two divorced 11 years later. And while secrecy shrouded the pair’s split and proceeding relationship — as well as Nicole’s relationship with her and Tom’s children, Isabella and Connor — it’s believed the two do not have much contact.
So, naturally, a sequel to Days Of Thunder has everyone asking if Nicole will return to star across from her ex-husband. Here’s what we know so far about the impending follow-up film.
Is Days Of Thunder 2 happening?
Yes! Finally! Rumours of a sequel have been circulating for years, with its star, Tom Cruise, keen to sign on. In late 2024, Deadline reported Paramount had joined the production of the blockbuster film, with Tom to reprise his role and superstar Hollywood producer Jerry Bruckheimer attached.
In June 2025, Jerry appeared to confirm Days Of Thunder 2 while speaking with ET on the red carpet of his film, F1: The Movie.
“There’s always new technologies, new ways to do things, to see things,” Jerry said. “And Tom is such a great individual to come up with phenomenal ideas. So we’ll have something really exciting for an audience once we pull it together.”
Who is in the cast of Days Of Thunder 2?
So far, we only know Tom Cruise will return in some capacity to the Days Of Thunder 2 cast, reprising his role of Cole Trickle.
No other stars have been confirmed, including Nicole Kidman, who played neurosurgeon Dr Claire Lewicki.
The original Days Of Thunder cast featured several big Hollywood names, including Cary Elwes (The Princess Bride), John C. Reilly (Step Brothers), Randy Quaid (National Lampoon’s Vacation) and Robert Duvall (The Godfather).
What is Days Of Thunder 2 about?
We’re still waiting for key details for the Days Of Thunder sequel — including what it will be about. No plot details have been released, but watch this space!
How did Days Of Thunder end?
Spoilers ahead!
If you’re wondering whether the original Days Of Thunder paved the way for Nicole’s potential return to the franchise, it certainly ended positively for her and Tom’s characters.
The original film ended with Tom winning the prestigious Daytona 500, setting him up for a promising future in NASCAR racing. In his victory scene, he embraced his love interest, Claire, suggesting the two were headed for a happy ending.
However, as Nicole and Tom know from real life, a lot can happen to a relationship in three decades! Perhaps Days Of Thunder 2 will offer some insight into what happened to Cole Trickle and Dr Claire Lewicki.
Why are they making Days Of Thunder 2?
With the success of Tom’s Top Gun sequel, Top Gun: Maverick, it’s no surprise he’s been given a shot to extend the life of another ’80s classic.
Combined with the success of other motor racing films, such as F1 The Movie, as well as the growing popularity of Formula One in general, Days Of Thunder — a film about NASCAR — is in-keeping with the cultural milieu.
Furthermore, Tom continues to be a box office smash even 30 years after his heyday; the most recent Mission Impossible film (Mission Impossible — The Final Reckoning, released in 2025) is currently the fourth-highest box office earner of 2025.
What is the Days Of Thunder 2 release date?
Limited details mean we can’t be certain of a release date yet. We’ll keep you updated when the news comes to light!
