Anne Hathaway Cast as Team Owner in Tom Cruise's 'Days of Thunder' Sequel

Key points

• Anne Hathaway has been cast in the 'Days of Thunder' sequel alongside Tom Cruise, who will reprise his role as Cole Trickle.
• Paramount Pictures has set the release date for June 2, 2028, marking nearly 40 years since the original film.
• The film will be shot for IMAX and released exclusively in theaters, including Dolby Cinema and 4DX formats.
• Jonathan Levine is confirmed to direct, with Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tommy Harper serving as producers.
• Hathaway is set to play a racecar team owner and engineer, though detailed plot information remains scarce.
• Cruise released a promotional image on a NASCAR track to celebrate Hathaway's casting announcement.

Background

Paramount had previously confirmed Jonathan Levine as the director and Will Staples as the screenwriter in July 2026. This project follows Cruise's recent work on 'Top Gun: Maverick' and his upcoming role in Alejandro González Iñárritu's 'Digger.' Hathaway is currently active in several projects, including 'The Princess Diaries' threequel and the Coleen Hoover adaptation 'Verity.'

How outlets are covering it

Variety provided the exclusive details on Hathaway's casting, the specific release date, and the production formats. Jayski, a NASCAR-focused outlet, reported the same core facts but emphasized the connection to the sport by citing Variety as the source and highlighting the promotional image on a race track. Both outlets agree on the key personnel and timeline, with no conflicting information reported.

Why it matters

This marks a significant return to a major IP for Tom Cruise as he ramps down the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise. For Anne Hathaway, it adds a high-profile theatrical release to a busy 2026 schedule that includes 'The Devil Wears Prada 2' and 'The Odyssey.' The exclusive IMAX and premium format release strategy signals Paramount's intent to maximize box office revenue through premium ticket pricing.

What to watch

Production is expected to begin after the completion of Hathaway's current projects, including 'Alone at Dawn' and 'Verity.' The film is slated for a June 2028 release, which will likely coincide with the summer blockbuster season. Fans will await further plot details and potential additional cast members as production approaches.