‘Days Of Thunder’ Star Blasts Anne Hathaway As ‘Leftist, Woke’ Sequel Choice

Anne Hathaway has joined Tom Cruise in a highly anticipated sequel to the 1990 film Days of Thunder, which is scheduled for a theatrical release on June 2, 2028. The announcement came via a promotional image shared by Cruise, showing both actors standing before a race car at a NASCAR track, accompanied by the film's iconic title card. The project is being produced by Paramount Pictures and will be shot specifically for IMAX screens, with plans for exclusive showings in Dolby Cinema and 4DX formats. Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, the ambitious young racer who rises through the ranks of NASCAR in the original film. Hathaway will portray a character described as a racecar team owner and engineer, marking a shift from her previous roles in action and romantic comedies. Jonathan Levine, best known for directing Long Shot, is set to helm the film, with the screenplay written by Will Staples, who previously worked on Without Remorse. Cruise is producing the film alongside longtime collaborators Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. The original Days of Thunder was directed by the late Tony Scott and featured a cast that included Randy Quaid as Tim Daland, the car dealer who recruits Trickle into his racing team. Robert Duvall played Harry Hogge, the seasoned crew chief, while Nicole Kidman and Michael Rooker rounded out the ensemble. The film was notable for its high-octane racing sequences and its portrayal of the competitive world of stock car racing during the early 1990s. The sequel comes nearly four decades after the original film and represents Cruise’s latest effort to revive interest in a classic franchise. This follows the success of Top Gun: Maverick, which was released in 2022 and became one of the highest-grossing films of all time. The new Days of Thunder is expected to leverage similar nostalgia-driven marketing strategies, focusing on the return of a beloved character and the introduction of new elements to appeal to modern audiences. Hathaway has been active throughout 2026, appearing in several high-profile projects, including The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Odyssey, and The End of Oak Street. She recently announced that she is pregnant with her third child, adding another layer of personal significance to her career trajectory. Her involvement in the sequel suggests a strategic move to balance her presence in blockbuster franchises with more substantial dramatic roles. Production on the sequel is expected to begin in early 2027, following the completion of other projects by the cast and crew. Filming locations have not yet been officially disclosed, though industry insiders speculate that parts of the movie could be shot at real NASCAR tracks across the United States. The film’s production budget is rumored to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars, reflecting Paramount’s commitment to delivering a visually immersive experience. The announcement has generated considerable buzz among fans of both Cruise and Hathaway, many of whom expressed excitement over the prospect of seeing the two stars reunite on screen. Some critics have raised questions about the relevance of revisiting a 1990s-era sports drama in today’s cinematic landscape, though others argue that the film’s focus on teamwork, perseverance, and the thrill of competition remains timeless. As the project moves forward, further details regarding the plot, supporting cast, and specific filming schedules are expected to emerge in the coming months. With a release date already set for 2028, the film is positioned as a key component of Paramount’s upcoming slate, potentially competing with other major blockbusters slated for that year.