It turns out that Jeff Gordon was right!
Last summer, Gordon stated, "I mean, all I can say is ... I've known Tom [Cruise] for many years, and was on set this past year for Mission: Impossible, and then I went to the premiere. And the first word out of his mouth is, 'We're doing it. We're doing Days of Thunder 2."
According to reports earlier today, Days of Thunder 2 is officially a go, as 50/50 filmmaker Jonathan Levine has enttered talks with Paramount to direct. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer also hinted at the sequel moving foward during the press tour for F1. The Pirates of the Carribean producer teased, "There's always new technology, always new ways to do things and see things. And Tom is such a great individual, he comes up with phenomenal ideas. We'll have something really exciting for an audience, once we pull it together."
Levine will reportedly direct from a script written by Will Staples (Without Remorse).
Cruise will next be seen in Digger, which hits theaters October 2. In addition to Days of Thunder 2, he's also attached to the Christopher McQuarrie-directed Broadsword and a third Top Gun film. One also has to wonder if there's another Mission: Impossible film lurking somewhere in that list of upcoming film.
There's no word yet on where Days of Thunder 2 fits into Cruise's busy schedule.
In Days of Thunder, the film centers on Cole Trickle (Tom Cruise), a talented but inexperienced open-wheel driver who’s recruited by team owner Tim Daland (Randy Quaid) to take on the high-stakes world of NASCAR. Partnered with seasoned crew chief Harry Hogge (Robert Duvall), Cole struggles to adjust to the demands of stock car racing and build trust with his team.
His aggressive style sparks a heated rivalry with reigning champ Rowdy Burns (Michael Rooker), culminating in a dramatic crash that sidelines them both. During his recovery, Cole begins a romance with neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki (Nicole Kidman) and confronts his insecurities on and off the track. As his comeback looms, Cole finds himself challenged by his ambitious replacement, Russ Wheeler (Cary Elwes).
When Rowdy is forced to retire due to his injuries, he entrusts Cole with driving his car in the Daytona 500. With Harry back in his corner, Cole must push past fear, rivalry, and self-doubt to seize victory on racing’s biggest stage.