There is definitely a certain electricity when Hollywood brushes up against high-octane horsepower. It’s the glint of chrome under stadium lights, the roar of V8 engines echoing through a summer blockbuster, and of course, the blurred line where movie magic meets motorsport reality.

Every so often, a film and an actor dare to capture that type of energy to bottle the chaos, thrill, and great racing for the big screen. One over three decades ago left an indelible mark not just on movie fanatics but on an entire generation of NASCAR fans.

Now, the man who drove that cinematic moment quite literally is back in the spotlight. Tom Cruise, the Hollywood icon known for his own stunts and chasing adrenaline like a few others, has just dropped a revelation. This mission that he sets on may be extremely possible as the Days of Thunder actor goes at it again.

Tom Cruise sets the pace for Days of Thunder 2

Yes, you guessed it right, Tom Cruise is set and ready to make Days of Thunder 2 happen.

The talks are underway for a long-awaited sequel to Days of Thunder. The 1990s film, which is a high-speed blend of drama, romance, and NASCAR action, has definitely remained a cult favorite for decades. But Cruise isn’t just looking to cash in on the nostalgia. According to him, this time around, he wants to go deeper into the sport, the drivers, and the emotional heart of racing. In a recent Twitter post, Adam Stern, a motorsport reporter, shared this good news with the world.

Cruise, now 62, recently told the Sports Business Journal that he’s been in active discussions with key stakeholders and is deeply committed to honoring NASCAR authenticity in the sequel. “It’s something I’ve wanted to do for years. There’s unfinished business there.” He admitted the rich relationships and stories that have emerged during the making of the original film, and reflects while doing so.

The sense of unfinished business is also shared by Robert Towne, the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind the first movie. While reflecting on the original production, Towne very fondly recalls his immersion in the NASCAR world: “The drivers were more fun than any group of people I had met before. They are the greatest storyteller in the world. I think I had arguably as good a time as I’ve ever had on a movie. It was just endless fun.”

During the shooting of the film, Towne and Cruise spent considerable time with legends like Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Rusty Wallace, and Geoff Bodine, and even shared one very memorable afternoon with the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., whose humor and larger-than-life presence left a lasting impression on the crew.

The Earnhardt family’s connection to the film runs deep. Dale Junior reflected on a cherished memory from two decades ago, when Cruise and Robert Towne visited his father’s shop. “Makes you feel old, doesn’t it?” He was amused. “That was a thrill for me and my sister, Kelley. We anticipated that movie coming out. It was interesting to see our sport, we put into the mainstream and be a part of it.”

As Cruise gears up for Days of Thunder 2, the fans are beaming with excitement, awaiting the new movie. There are tons of expectations, too. Let’s see what they have to say about it.

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The redemption run

When Days of Thunder first hit theaters in 1990, it promised to bring NASCAR to the silver screen like never before. The movie was brash, bold, and unstably stylized. But for many drivers, the film left tire marks for all the wrong reasons.

Despite the sports stop names lending their time and insight, the final product felt like a very glamorized version of racing that prioritized spectacle over substance. “ The racing wasn’t very good; it was just beating and banging and the cars looked like they were from a junkyard,” said a very unhappy Rick Hendrick.

Even the screenwriter, Robert Towne, admitted his side discomfort with the exaggerated racing: “They rubbed; they didn’t bump… I felt it wasn’t necessary.”

Behind the scenes, NASCAR was navigating its own identity crisis. On one hand, the officials saw the movie as a potential gateway to finding new fans and corporate sponsors. However, on the other hand, the film’s moonshine-fueled, crash-happy portrayal left them squirming.
While the organization officially embraces the spotlight, it quietly urges drivers to keep their criticism under wraps.

The code of silence was so strong that even The Intimidator, who shared very blunt thoughts on the movie’s distortion of real racing, held back. He went on to say, “I am a big fan of Tom Cruise. I don’t want to see anything that might change what I think of him.”

Yet while the driver is an official, grappling with the film’s image, the fans, then and now, embrace this fantasy. It was fast and just enough outlaw to hook a generation unfamiliar with restricted plates and drifting lanes.

So when Tom Cruise recently confirmed talks of a long-awaited sequel, the reactions were instant combustion.

As soon as Adam posted the tweet, the comment section exploded with raw emotion and a nostalgic delight.

One fan guessed the plot of the next movie, saying, “Let me guess. He plays a modern Jeff Gordon role that he is now the owner of a young, brash driver?” The wave of enthusiasm kept rolling on as some fan, driven with anticipation, declared, “That’s exciting!”
The command section was flooded as longtime followers and newcomers alike got swept up with this nostalgia, saying, “This is AWESOME!” and “GIVE ME DAYS OF THUNDER 2 AND MY LIFE IS YOURS!”

And then came the rally cry, “HELL YEAH,” signaling the fans’ readiness to dive back into action and highly anticipate the sequel.

For NASCAR, the sequel is more than just a movie; it’s a chance to reintroduce the sport with fresh energy. For fans, it’s definitely a thrilling return of an iconic story that refuses to fade away, and hopefully, the movie is delivered with new, fresh perspectives.