Paramount Pictures
Recently, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Hollywood megastar Tom Cruise is contemplating a sequel to “Days of Thunder,” the 1990 racing flick where he played the lead role under director Tony Scott. It’s understandable at first glance why Cruise would consider this, given the immense box office success of the 2022 sequel to another Cruise-Scott project, “Top Gun: Maverick.” The lure of revisiting old characters, such as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, in hopes of discovering more cinematic gold is clearly tempting for Cruise. However, at this time, there are no confirmed writers, directors, or additional cast members, making this purely a speculative venture driven by Cruise’s interest, with no concrete plans in place yet.
Yet, there are compelling reasons why a sequel to “Days of Thunder” may not be the best idea for 2025 or beyond. First of all, the original film didn’t garner the same level of adoration as the original “Top Gun.” Generations of moviegoers have been clamouring for a “Top Gun” sequel for years, but the same cannot be said for “Days of Thunder.” Despite a superb supporting cast, including Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, Robert Duvall, and Michael Rooker, “Days of Thunder” lacked a character as iconic as Val Kilmer’s Iceman from “Top Gun.” Even if they managed to bring back some of the original cast for a “Days of Thunder” sequel, it wouldn’t have the same impact as Kilmer and Cruise’s on-screen reunion.
Even if we set aside these considerations, there’s another reason why this sequel might not be a good idea.
Days of Thunder 2 lacks novelty
Paramount Pictures
In the 1990’s, an action movie set in the NASCAR universe offering a glimpse into the training and racing regimen of drivers was a novel concept. However, by 2024, that novelty has worn off. Cruise, known for his commitment to deliver the most immersive cinematic experience possible, would undoubtedly relish the idea of “Days of Thunder 2” putting the audience right in the driver’s seat with him, showcasing his own driving skills, and translating the thrill of speed from the racetrack to the silver screen. The issue is that audiences have already been exposed to this experience through Netflix’s “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” and recent films like James Mangold’s “Ford v Ferrari,” Neill Blomkamp’s “Gran Turismo,” and Michael Mann’s “Ferrari.”
Significantly, there’s one film that could steal the thunder from “Days of Thunder 2” before it even begins: “F1,” an exorbitantly priced new racing film starring Brad Pitt, which is set to release next summer and is directed by “Top Gun: Maverick’s” Joseph Kosinski. From the teaser trailer of the film, it’s evident that Kosinski is employing the “Maverick” approach to create a sense of speed, which makes me think that another “Days of Thunder” might fall short in comparison. As a renowned NASCAR driver once said, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
I touched on this topic in today’s episode of the /Film Daily podcast, which you can tune in to below:
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FAQs:
Q1: What is Tom Cruise’s next potential project?
A1: Tom Cruise is exploring the idea of a sequel to “Days of Thunder,” a racing movie from 1990 that he starred in.
Q2: Why might a “Days of Thunder” sequel not make sense?
A2: The original movie wasn’t as beloved as “Top Gun,” and the novelty of a racing movie that was present in 1990 has faded by now.
Q3: What could potentially hinder the success of “Days of Thunder 2”?
A3: The movie “F1,” an expensive new racing film starring Brad Pitt and directed by “Top Gun: Maverick’s” Joseph Kosinski, could overshadow “Days of Thunder 2.”
Credit: www.slashfilm.com
