In the “Days of Thunder” Sequel, a Universe Should Be Born

The talks are officially underway for Tom Cruise to come back as Cole Trickle in a “Days of Thunder” sequel. When this happens, there is an opportunity to level up and be BIGGER than NASCAR currently is.

There have only been a few Hollywood movies based on NASCAR. Because of that fact, when Tom Cruise has to get back behind the wheel because the driver of the car for Cole Trickle’s one car racing team gets maimed on the track and nobody knows the car and set up better than him…(Just logically thinking through a possible scenario – I don’t know what the story line would be), world’s should collide. Converge. Come Together. Whatever you want to call it. There should be a blending of Hollywood NASCAR movies.

Tom Cruise is capable of pulling this off as an actor. The idea is --he needs a driver, now. He should make a call to Ricky Bobby…!!! Hear me out! It only has to be a scene, but it could be more. Ricky Bobby is younger than Cole Trickle, if we’re not dating the script to a previous decade (or century). With that one phone call/scene you tie together a cinematic NASCAR universe.

Laugh all you want, –and it should be funny—but placing Ricky Bobby in the “Days of Thunder” world would sell tickets. It also provides Hollywood a chance to view previously unconnected IP’s together to instantly create something that is simultaneously nostalgia (which is a safer bet for investors) and creating a new path forward for this blended narrative.

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To be fair I would hope for lip service to Burt Reynolds “Stroker Ace” and Kenny Rogers “Brewster Baker” from “Six Pack”. Both have passed, and I’m not calling for AI renderings of their characters, but acknowledgement of their characters and storylines. Have Cole Trickle be the guy who purchased Rogers single car team. All it takes is a line in the script and a pic of Kenny on the wall. You could go extra and include Diane Lane who was in “Six Pack” with Rogers as a teenager in 1982.  Have Farrell name drop “Stroker Ace” during the conversation with Cruise’s “Trickle”.

The human blur here is John C. Reilly who was in both “Days of Thunder” and “Talladega Nights”. This can be done though. He can still play both “Buck” and “Cal”. He’s capable, and would probably relish the opportunity.

I understand the legal hoops and thresholds are vast and that it would probably be easier to get current and former NASCAR personalities to provide cameos. But, just because something is daunting doesn't mean it shouldn't be attempted. Especially when you are doing something new(ish) and bending past IP's into a new blended universe. Where has the path of least resistance led the movie industry anyway?

Conclusion…..Cruise. Farrell. Reilly. A Hollywood NASCAR acknowledged universe = $$$

Be bold. Do this.