By admin 
HIGH POINT, N.C. (WGHP) — The Hollywood Reporter is reporting that it’s a done deal; “Days of Thunder 2” has the green flag for production and a tentative timeline of filming to begin in early 2027.
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The report says that Paramount, which produced the original, is tapping Jonathan Levine to direct, with Tom Cruise on board to produce and star in the highly anticipated sequel and Jerry Bruckheimer returning as a producer.
Bruckheimer produced Days of Thunder and also produced “F1” staring Brad Pitt. The original Days of Thunder was released in 1990 and was sort of a racing version of Top Gun. Cruise played brash and talented racer Cole Trickle, who was trying his hand at NASCAR despite very little stock car experience. The all-star cast featured the likes of Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid and John C. Reilly. Details of the new script are not being shared, but back in March of 2026, before his death, Kyle Busch said in a press conference that he had talked with the movie’s writers.
Busch had the nickname “Rowdy” as a nod to the character Rowdy Burns from the movie. Jeff Gordon said in May that there has been a team at the track taking notes, meeting with teams and drivers, and writing a script. The writer for the movie is Will Staples. Staples co-wrote the Michael B. Jordan action movie “Without Remorse” and the show “The Right Stuff.”
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On his X account, he follows more than a dozen high-profile NASCAR accounts and Tom Cruise. While the original Days of Thunder was released just six and a half months after it started filming, starting on December 11, 1989, and in theaters on June 27, 1990, most movies are released about 18 months after production begins.
F1 was released 23 months after filming began. Days of Thunder 2 will likely release in early to mid 2028.
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