Anne Hathaway Cast Opposite Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder Sequel
Tom Cruise has announced a sequel to his 1990s action film Days of Thunder, scheduled for release in Summer 2028. Academy Award-winning actress Anne Hathaway will star opposite Cruise in the project, with the casting revealed through social media posts on X (formerly Twitter) on August 29, 2026.
In the announcement video, Hathaway, who is currently pregnant, playfully stated she would first deliver her baby before joining Cruise for filming. The original Days of Thunder, which launched Cruise’s career in the early 1990s, followed his character Cole Trickle as a NASCAR driver entering the high-stakes world of professional racing.
The sequel announcement arrives on the heels of the massive success of Top Gun: Maverick, which reignited industry interest in reviving classic Cruise franchises. Paramount Pictures confirmed the casting following Cruise’s social media announcements, making the project official.
Hathaway has experienced a particularly active period recently, with starring roles in The Odyssey and The End of Oak Street released this summer. The actress’s involvement in the Days of Thunder sequel represents another major project in what appears to be an exceptionally productive phase of her career. The project reflects Hollywood’s ongoing trend of revisiting established intellectual property, particularly action franchises with proven appeal.