Days Of Thunder is set to return. Tom Cruise is in talks with Paramount Pictures about doing a follow-up. Top Gun: Maverick has clearly whetted his appetite for these legacy sequels. With Mission: Impossible ending, probably due to his dodgy knees or something, he needs something to do.
The 1990 NASCAR racing film was largely dismissed on its release as “Top Gun in cars”. It brought back Top Gun producing team Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer with Tony Scott and Tom Cruise. It failed to make a massive splash at the box office, returning just $157 million on a $60 million budget.
Which is a shame, as there is a lot to like about Days Of Thunder. It is a straightforward, unpretentious movie just dripping in late 80s / early 90s style. It is directed with real flair by Scott. It captures the mood of the sport and is as dramatic as it is fun.
Of course, it is also where Nicole Kidman went from star of BMX Bandits to Hollywood A-List and Mrs. Tom Cruise.
There was talk of a TV series a few years ago. Is this why Cruise stepped in to stop that plan? He’s got publicity for Mission: Impossible 8 first. Then the mystery Alejandro G. Iñárritu project which will be filmed in London shortly. Top Gun 3 and the Doug Liman space movie also all sit on his schedule.
Of course, the question on everyone’s lips is will they re-cast Aldo Benedetti?