In a return few fans might have expected to see, action star Tom Cruise is pursuing a sequel to his 1990 NASCAR film Days of Thunder.
The Hollywood Reporter reported Friday that Cruise has talked to Paramount and a script is in the works. That script will determine if or when the film gets produced. Cruise also has other pending projects that would take precedence, including another Top Gun sequel and upcoming films with Warner Bros./Legendary and Universal.
“He’s talking [to Paramount] about Top Gun and Days of Thunder,” a Paramount source told the Reporter. “It’s going to be what comes together first in terms of a script. It depends on the idea and, ultimately, the script.”
Days of Thunder might seem an odd film for Cruise to revisit. The NASCAR-based movie drew poor reviews from critics (38% on the film site Rotten Tomatoes) and not much better audience feedback (60% on Rotten Tomatoes). Directed by Tony Scott, the film featured many familiar faces, including Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, John C. Reilly, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, and Michael Rooker.
“I don’t think a [Days of Thunder sequel] is a terrible idea,” a Paramount source told the Reporter. “You might have said that revisiting Top Gun was a terrible idea. I wouldn’t discount it.”
Cruise is now 62, which would be a bit old to reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, at least as an active competitor. Then again, he just played a fighter jet pilot in Top Gun: Maverick.