Tom Cruise is officially revving up the engines for a sequel to his 1990 racing film Days of Thunder, because what the world really needed was another nostalgia-fueled cash grab. The actor announced the project with a photo of himself and co-star Anne Hathaway posing in front of a race car emblazoned with the film’s logo and release date, because subtle marketing is overrated.
The new Days of Thunder film, which may or may not be!!!!! a creatively bankrupt attempt to recapture the magic of the original, will see Cruise reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, alongside Hathaway as a team owner and engineer. Because who doesn’t love a good “grizzled veteran teams up with plucky newcomer” story? The film will be directed by Jonathan Levine, whose previous credits include comedies like 50/50 and Long Shot, because what could possibly go wrong with a comedy director helming a racing movie?
The Original: A Time Capsule of 90s Excess
The original Days of Thunder was released in 1990 to moderate success, but it’s mostly remembered for its over-the-top action sequences and Cruise’s signature charm. It was the 12th highest-grossing film of the year, behind titles like Ghost and Home Alone, but who’s counting? The film’s director, Tony Scott, passed away in 2012, and writer Robert Towne died in 2024, but their legacy lives on in this questionable sequel.
The press release for the new film promises that it will be “filmed for IMAX,” because that’s exactly what the world needed: a bigger, louder, and more expensive sequel to a 30-year-old movie. The film’s plot is still under wraps, but it’s safe to assume it will involve lots of fast cars, explosions, and Tom Cruise looking ruggedly handsome. Because that’s what the people want, right?
A Legacyquel for the Ages?
It’s hard to say whether Days of Thunder 2 will be a success, but one thing is certain: it’s a calculated attempt to tap into the nostalgia of fans who grew up with the original. The film’s release date, Summer 2028, is strategically timed to coincide with the peak of summer blockbuster season, when audiences are most receptive to big, loud, and dumb movies. And let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good dose of nostalgia to go along with their overpriced popcorn and mediocre 3D glasses?
As the Content Mines remain fully operational, churning out sequel after sequel, it’s clear that Hollywood has once again mistaken familiarity for originality. But hey, who needs original ideas when you can just reboot, remake, or sequel-ize something that already exists? It’s not like the Merchandising Department has anything to do with these decisions or anything. Somewhere, an executive whispered, “Can this become a trilogy?” and the world wept.
In the end, it’s hard to get excited about Days of Thunder 2 when it feels like just another cynical attempt to cash in on nostalgia. But hey, maybe it’ll be a surprise hit and Tom Cruise will prove us all wrong. Again. For the love of all things good and holy, please let this be the last one.
Finn McFrame, celebrated satirical mastermind and self-proclaimed “Emperor of Irony,” started his illustrious career as a cinematographer, where his expertise in capturing every single frame of a squirrel stealing a baguette earned him accolades at obscure film festivals.
Born in the glamorous town of Boring, Oregon, Finn grew up with dreams of being a Hollywood director until he realized that satire, not cinema, was his true calling—or at least the one that let him sleep until noon.
Finn McFrame: changing the world, one satirical lens flare at a time.
