Jonathan Levine Is In Talks To Direct 'Days Of Thunder 2'
Image Source: Variety
Everybody, start your engines! The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that filmmaker Jonathan Levine is in talks to helm a Days of Thunder sequel for Paramount Pictures!
Days of Thunder is a 1990 racing film directed by the late Tony Scott. The story centers on Cole Trickle, a NASCAR rookie who wants to make a name for himself in the world of racing. The film starred Tom Cruise, the late Robert Duvall, Nicole Kidman, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, an early years John C. Reilly, and a pre-James Gunn punching bag Michael Rooker. Days of Thunder received mixed reviews from critics who praised the racing sequences, the performances of Cruise and Duvall, and Hans Zimmer’s score (his first for an action movie), but deemed the film “Top Gun with cars.” The film didn’t replicate Top Gun’s uber box office success and cinematic influence, but it did gain cult status after its release. Racing films have seen a major revival since 2013, bolstered by Ron Howard’s Rush, James Mangold’s Ford v Ferrari, Neill Blomkamp’s Gran Turismo, and Joseph Kosinski’s F1, which became the 9th highest-grossing film of last year. Both Ford v Ferrari and F1 received Oscar nominations for Best Picture and both won Best Sound. Days of Thunder was also nominated for Best Sound in 1991 but lost to Dances With Wolves.
Jonathan Levine has become one of the successful journeyman filmmakers of the last 15 years. He made his debut in 2006 with the slasher film All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, starring Amber Heard and a pre-Star Trek Anson Mount, though the film didn’t see a wide release until 2013. In 2008, he directed the coming-of-age film The Wackness, starring Josh Peck. Levine’s profile grew considerably in the early 2010’s after directing the dramedy 50/50 and the zombie film Warm Bodies. Levine also directed The Night Before, Snatched, and Long Shot, none of which replicated the critical or financial success of his previous work. In 2015, Levine and Hidden Figures director Theodore Melfi were the frontrunners to direct Spider-Man: Homecoming, both losing the gig to a then-unknown Jon Watts. Levine’s potential involvement in the Days of Thunder sequel stems from his existing relationship with Paramount Pictures. Earlier this year, reports surfaced that Levine’s upcoming sports drama, Mr. Irrelevant: The John Tuggle Story, garnered glowing reactions during test screenings.
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With a prime Christmas Day 2026 release, the film is positioned as Paramount’s major contender for awards season. Mr. Irrelevant stars Superman breakout David Corenswet, Scream 7’s Isabel May, and Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon. In addition to Levine potentially getting in the directing driver’s seat, Will Staples is attached as writer, after previously collaborating with Tom Cruise on Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation via uncredited script revisions. Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle and will act as producer alongside blockbuster legend Jerry Bruckheimer, who also produced the first Days of Thunder, the Top Gun films, and last year’s F1.
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Source: The Hollywood Reporter
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