'Days of Thunder' sequel details: What's known about NASCAR movie's return with Tom Cruise, Anne Hathaway

NASCAR is returning to the big screen.

Decades after the release of "Days of Thunder" in 1990, a sequel is on its way, with lead star Tom Cruise sharing the official news on Saturday afternoon ahead of NASCAR's race at Daytona.

The first film featured a collection of real NASCAR figures, including Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace, Neil Bonnett and Harry Gant — and for the second "Days of Thunder" movie, NASCAR appears to be heavily involved once again.

Here's what's known about the second "Days of Thunder" movie after Saturday's announcement.

MORE: Updated points, scenarios for final NASCAR Cup Series spots at Daytona

'Days of Thunder' sequel details

On Saturday, Cruise posted on social media to confirm a movie that has been rumored for some time: another "Days of Thunder."

In his post, Cruise shared a poster of him at Daytona Motor Speedway alongside Anne Hathaway, another star set to appear in the film, with his character's name in the original, Cole Trickle, seen on a green and yellow car.

Cruise also shared that the movie is set for a summer 2028 release.

Days of Thunder. Summer 2028. pic.twitter.com/l7tWBQVONm

Days of Thunder. Summer 2028. pic.twitter.com/rD3QLXfUyi

With the original "Days of Thunder" being released in 1990, it will mark 38 years between the films. The sequel will be shot for IMAX screens, per Variety, and released exclusively in theaters for formats including Dolby Cinema and 4DX.

Plot details remain limited, but Cruise is known to be reprising his role as Cole Trickle. Hathaway, meanwhile, is set to play a "racecar team owner and engineer," according to Variety.

Jonathan Levine, who has directed "Long Shot" and “Mr. Irrelevant" previously, will be directing the 2028 movie, with Cruise also reportedly helping with production alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.

The original "Days of Thunder," directed by Tony Scott, starred a 27-year-old Cruise. By summer 2028, he will be 65 years old.

When is the second 'Days of Thunder' coming out?

According to Variety, Paramount Pictures is targeting June 2, 2028, for the release of the "Days of Thunder" sequel.

That date is not yet confirmed, but the film is eyeing a Summer 2028 release regardless.

Which NASCAR drivers will appear in the 'Days of Thunder' sequel?

In the original "Days of Thunder," a few real NASCAR drivers and figures made cameos, something that appears likely for the sequel. NASCAR will be "supporting Paramount’s production of the sequel," per The Athletic — in the original movie, sequences were shot before and after real races, including real cars carrying film cameras.

According to USA Today, when rumors about the sequel first began, drivers were asked about it at the Brickyard 400. Chase Briscoe said he was excited for the potential chance to even be a car on the racetrack in the background of the film.

“That will be something that is huge, truthfully, for the sport in general,” Briscoe said, per USA Today. “I’m very interested to see the filming process of it. I’m assuming they are going to have to have a car on the racetrack when we are racing. Tom Cruise does all of his own stunts, so is he going to be ripping that thing at Daytona or wherever we are at? I’m excited for that piece of it, and just excited to be a part of the process whether I am just a car on the racetrack or I have a one-liner in it. I think it will be pretty cool to be a part of that process.”

Denny Hamlin is another name to watch — he reportedly has talked with filmmakers for the "Days of Thunder" sequel.

“I think that there's nothing but positives that certainly can come out of it,” Hamlin said, per USA Today “Any kind of awareness you can bring to the sport, even if it's dramatized, I think can really be a good thing. So, yeah, I've met with the directors and the writers, quite a bit on it, and felt like, yeah, they're on a really fun path, and I think it's going to be great for the screen.”

Hendrick vice chairman Jeff Gordon also said in February he spoke to Cruise about the project, per The Athletic.

“There’s this kind of resurgence, which is awesome, and there’s also a whole new landscape of opportunities with streaming services and docuseries and also the big screen, which I think it would be amazing to do,” Gordon said. “I am seeing just a lot more momentum in projects like this coming through NASCAR and coming to Hendrick Motorsports and just more interest. So that’s good, right? It talks a lot about where the sport is at, where it’s heading, the amazing crowd that was (at Daytona), not just today, new TV partners."