EXCLUSIVE: Tom Cruise Wants Nicole Kidman Back for 'Days of Thunder' Sequel
Tom Cruise wants Nicole Kidman back for a 'Days of Thunder' sequel, reuniting the former co-stars.
Aug. 24 2026, Published 7:00 a.m. ET
Tom Cruise is revving up for another lap around the track – and RadarOnline.com can reveal he's hoping former wife Nicole Kidman will come along for the ride.
With Paramount officially moving ahead with Days of Thunder 2, 36 years after the original NASCAR drama roared into theaters, Cruise, 64, is eager to reunite with the actress he famously met while making the 1990 film, according to a source close to the star.
Cruise Wants Kidman Back Onscreen
Tom Cruise reportedly wants Nicole Kidman to appear in the upcoming 'Days of Thunder 2'.
"Let's cut to the chase: Is there room for Nicole Kidman to show up in Days of Thunder 2? Yes. And in terms of dealmaking, it's not a difficult path," said the insider. "Tom apparently wants it to happen, but the ball is in Nicole's, and only Nicole's, court."
Jonathan Levine is in talks to direct the sequel, with Cruise returning as hotshot driver Cole Trickle and producing alongside Jerry Bruckheimer. Kidman, 59, played neurosurgeon Dr. Claire Lewicki, who fell for Cole in the original film.
Their on-screen romance blossomed into a real-life relationship, and the pair married shortly after the film's release. They divorced in 2001 after 11 years together.
Still, the source said convincing the Oscar winner to return won't be easy.
"Remember, Nicole's focus for the last decade has been to work with and elevate female directors and producers, and her track record with that is industry-best," explained the insider.
Kidman Holds All The Cards
Jonathan Levine is in talks to direct 'Days of Thunder 2', with Cruise returning as Cole Trickle.
"It's a big leap for Nicole to jump onto a bro movie like Days of Thunder 2 for a male director from the Seth Rogen universe of frat boy comedies. Even if she's just going to do a signature, one-scene cameo, it has to be creatively perfect for her to do it."
The source said Kidman is firmly in control of the decision.
"The buzz is Tom and the studio want it to happen, but this isn't 1990. Nicole is a powerful, big-time producer in her own right, and nobody can strong-arm her into a job she doesn't want to do."
Even so, the insider said the door remains open.
Kidman Hasn’t Ruled Out Return
Kidman has not officially passed on appearing in the 'Days of Thunder' sequel, according to a source.
"Apparently she hasn't officially passed yet, and the whole Days of Thunder team makes more money if she agrees to appear, even briefly, in this film. Plus, the first Days movie was her unique launchpad into stardom in America. Even if it wasn't the biggest hit at the time, everybody knew her name after that movie came out."
Cruise has already acknowledged that revisiting the racing franchise has been on his mind. Last year he revealed that he and his team were "thinking and talking" about a Days of Thunder sequel while developing other projects, noting that it took decades to crack Top Gun: Maverick.
Kidman has long looked back fondly on the movie, which grossed about $158million worldwide. For starters, the hot, humid Florida weather did wonders for her naturally curly hair.
Kidman Recalls Falling For Cruise
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Jerry Bruckheimer was among the producers Kidman recalled meeting while auditioning for the original 'Days of Thunder'.
"I love my hair there. I have very wild, curly hair. That's my natural hair. Isn't that crazy?" She said. "So, little girls out there, embrace the curl. Do not follow in my steps and straighten your hair."
The biggest perk, of course, was meeting her future husband. "I remember walking in, I remember being so nervous and seeing Tom Cruise drive up in a Porsche, I think it was," she recalled in 2016. "He got out of the car and walked through, and I was like, 'Ah.' My jaw dropped.
"Then I had to go in and audition in front of Tony Scott," she continued. "Sweet Tony. [Producers] Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer, Robert Towne and Tom. I was like, 'No way, I'm not going to get this.' They called that afternoon, and I had the job."
