# ‘Days of Thunder 2’: Jonathan Levine in Talks to Direct Tom Cruise in Paramount’s Racing Sequel (Exclusive)

> **Open Intelligence Dossier** · First detected: 2026-07-22 18:07 UTC · Category: Entertainment

## Executive Summary
Tom Cruise is set to return for 'Days of Thunder 2' as Paramount enters discussions with Jonathan Levine to direct the racing sequel.

## Intelligence Brief
Paramount is moving forward with a sequel to the 1990s racing classic, titled 'Days of Thunder 2.' According to an exclusive report from The Hollywood Reporter, filmmaker Jonathan Levine is currently in talks to direct the project. The production will see the return of Tom Cruise, who starred in the original film. This development marks a significant step for the project, which is being described by some outlets as a "legacyquel," as the studio seeks to revive the high-stakes racing drama for a new generation of viewers. The news has been widely covered by major entertainment trade publications and news outlets. Variety, Deadline, and TheWrap have all reported that Levine is in negotiations to board the film.


Collider has specifically noted the return of Tom Cruise, framing the original as his best action movie since 'Top Gun.' Other outlets, including Yahoo and the A.V. Club, have highlighted the momentum behind the project, while Empire Online emphasized that the long-awaited sequel has finally received a major update regarding its production status. Contextually, the original 'Days of Thunder' is viewed as a 90s classic, and the decision to create a sequel aligns with the current industry trend of legacy sequels. The involvement of Tom Cruise is a central pillar of the project's appeal. Additionally, Motorsport.com has tracked the development, confirming that the film is indeed moving forward with Cruise set to return.


This effort by Paramount represents an attempt to capitalize on the enduring popularity of the original racing narrative and Cruise's ongoing draw as a leading action star. Moving forward, observers are watching for the official confirmation of Jonathan Levine's appointment as director. There is also speculation regarding the cast, as USA Today has raised the question of whether Brad Pitt might join Tom Cruise in the sequel. While the coverage confirms that talks are underway and Cruise is returning, the specific plot details and the full casting roster have not yet been finalized. The industry will be monitoring Paramount for further updates on the production timeline and official casting announcements.

## Multi-Source Evidence Table
| Source Outlet | Headline | Verification URL |
|---|---|---|
| Motorsport.com | Days of Thunder 2 moving forward with Tom Cruise set to return for sequel film | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxOTncyS0FiLVZiaDR0VnE1RHEzTTZxUkhMUENDX2JqcXFJMXFVOFNLM2RjNzZkcVZIYU5HREU1SDg0RHM5VWhkWWZ2VHJaWUFWcGM4d0RwR3J1N3U0MkxkdGNxNXZZcG9FQXVYc2tGckZTOHI1bWlXMFB6bjMzUVcwUWFCcXU4aE5XSDNvT0lQVGNQMG9IQm5mUGVRR0dhRHdlOXBRWG0tZ3BBVkhyZ1BFZXJ3?oc=5) |
| A.V. Club | Paramount pours more fuel into Days Of Thunder sequel | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMic0FVX3lxTE80ZUVJc25feENhOFkxOVcycDhfb2FFRXlMS0dCR2lTX0R5emZ0cXUxd3ltRmdfVFNpUUNHS3ZvaW11X2dYNEdEbndMUEJUQ0taNXpQaGJMb1c1NzN4TU83dTJiZi05T0M0MFBUb1JUUXZzTDA?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | Tom Cruise accelerating towards Days of Thunder sequel | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMipgFBVV95cUxPd1V0WkhHQk44M2l2TC1VcVQ4WDI1V1RXWDZNQWdWMUZWOFllYV9rdG1zbW5OdEE0VU5fRGJvczFSdEktU2pNRVlrWjhPQmxiWGIyLUVteXBrbmNvRzk4R1ZuTm81MXlWX0xwRUdEQUZxeEt4UUdnaGhWc0I0dngtYzNHRDRwc3lMU2RPeERGbWVhU21QODZCWWhid0hjQzRtNWJYZjNB?oc=5) |
| empireonline.com | Tom Cruise is feeling the thunder as long-awaited sequel to 90s classic gets major update | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMizwFBVV95cUxQVks3Y2F4cm9XNmN5Q2pyakI1eXF5WmIwX2ptZi04NmEwMkp1MUFHdFVVMHpLQ3A1eFU0Q2JYRlhsODV1LW5FUlpXMS1EaVp5YjZYNHY2aWZnbFNONlpzeXRsbWc1QWNldGxnRGRORXV0V0VDOEVBS0g4UHluTG5VTFNqSXhKcjc3Q3JYUm1La0Z5VnhmR2xQWmFwVGk0MGROQ1gxbzF6SzFzYThXTDJGTmQzYjFHc0VmVlZJRElRUHBjWVhOZkdFbmV5blVEWXM?oc=5) |
| USA Today | Will Brad Pitt join Tom Cruise in 'Days of Thunder 2'? | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMisgFBVV95cUxQTW9UbE5FRHdldVA4VURxUTMxQUxGZFF4Y2pfRzRMZ1R5dzVmTk4zQ1RtcU1ENTc3c01LZjJzRExuWWdrMndKQ0h4YmxXeWlNWEYwMXFZWm5CWHIzNzM4WjhReUdNS0VXZ2NZMWltakRoR08xVllXVUJERWJUMVowdll1Vm5YVmFia0lqdWJKbk9wOEtUTFlIQTRlTi1SUU9nTjJsYkNPNzNQSVk3NDJKNml3?oc=5) |
| Yahoo | 'Days of Thunder 2': Jonathan Levine in Talks to Board Paramount Legacyquel | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1gFBVV95cUxNTEpUR3RBOEROa2tueldfcGtmNC1YQUFDbEZvMER0Q0l3Wi1obnhvdE5BUGJPd1FyQkt6WXpPczYtQ3BSZmZ4YVdjcUFEazdRSnNPNENpdDJOOW1TekNHbUV2QkNjTm1XTnlKMkdrcm9udXJyOUw1WXhBTVc0alV1MG5lVHlqRWthTmloYXNMcnh3SGVQUHBNQWlEc1pYV2NPalItRzA0Q0FzeU1QTE9ibU9BRWVCanFfVDRtUjBwSEEzblFJVXNwVFZ2cV9kcW9idGJuc2Zn?oc=5) |
| Variety | ‘Days of Thunder 2’: Jonathan Levine in Talks to Direct Tom Cruise in Paramount Sequel | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirAFBVV95cUxNTWw2OW5FRDRYMlBIUEU0TWxsUm9vd29QcGNBb2lhWWxpSXJMNkh4UGVJSHNsODdrdU8wLTZRQmxrcXQ5bUVROUh3VF9FUjVlbHltaDE2bzRWdEFMMTQ4R0FDVUJLTUxybFBMREptWWZndkF3V0VpQnJDLWMtaWdzdjZCU191Q2o2dzZ5c3VGY2ltT3JzM19aSzhJeXpZWnM1eDFlakN6V29Pa3Nk?oc=5) |
| Collider | Tom Cruise Officially Returns for Sequel to His Best Action Movie Since 'Top Gun' | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikAFBVV95cUxQTzRBem9jODZ1X0FseDBFUHdFUjZuZGljY2Rpb29Dck9LV0IyMjMxSEVfQi1ocVRrWDJfeVNQQUtSNU5fbGwzZjJ2bkhLN2FXSXVlQjI2a25pTU9haXdLODRzN05SQkV5V21HZWRkLUc2Qy1fMkdNUVZkSUNCZUx4STR0MXFXcVdqbmxnWFlPSlU?oc=5) |
| TheWrap | ‘Days of Thunder 2’: Jonathan Levine in Talks to Board Paramount Legacyquel | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMimwFBVV95cUxQT2JKRlgyVmdsVEt1Tk9hVjNQNUNRWm01LXc4dWw0TWtmUmtENmJ2R0UzUjlOXzdHQXhKbjdRckhOWUJKUXdqTkduMlRJVVBXZ2JWMmFDVFJpcG4xZVlSbktQTjFSdnZyZzVkWXVfUDJINGw4Xy0zTjd3TEZSbkY4VGtRMGRiMXZMdDhOaGd1LUNnQlU1WVhFTUdjTQ?oc=5) |
| Deadline | Jonathan Levine In Talks To Direct Paramount’s Tom Cruise ‘Days Of Thunder’ Sequel | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiiwFBVV95cUxQUWp1VEJtSDdDYjFtdXdlY21ISXdLRzFxYkVGbEZUV1hCdzVKZjVHaUVrTW5VRE8xUUxhb2U2cUIzaktsQ2FUQmltOUJsR3ZWNUs5b0NfVjVDd0xyUUR3VDVBS3NHbllrTUNXYlZUeEVoRE9KODJqaEJmQ3JCTUJWejc1bG9wX2xWUVpR?oc=5) |
| The Hollywood Reporter | ‘Days of Thunder 2’: Jonathan Levine in Talks to Direct Tom Cruise in Paramount’s Racing Sequel (Exclusive) | [Source Link](https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxPRnFDMG1vdXIwNnJCX3p0WUJCM1A0NFNXRnRUY3EtWWN0Yi1mZDJ2djl2YndleDZTZ19hM2dKamJHVENRdzhxUVotUVRUU1JJUGxENzZNT0VONVZQYnNvS2R3TmhmcmJHaVlyRjZhRV9oVTZtNngyeUZOamNSZi14Y3pjMlZrMExRVVIta2w4UllsRy1jeXJtQnk5SGV5WklqNExyOHJDLWRGSFJjM3ZWbjUwWFNUUQ?oc=5) |

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*Canonical Source: https://pulse.byoviral.com/trend/2026-07-22/days-of-thunder-2-jonathan-levine-in-talks-to-direct-tom-cruise-in-paramount-s*