Potential Movie Crossover Between F1 and Days of Thunder
In an intriguing development for motorsport cinema, Joseph Kosinski, director of the recent Formula 1 film, has hinted at the possibility of a sequel that could feature a crossover with the 1990s NASCAR classic, Days of Thunder. This concept could reunite acting icons Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise—who previously starred together in Interview with the Vampire—as rivals in a new racing narrative.
Kosinski elaborated on this idea in a recent GQ interview, suggesting that Cruise’s character, Cole Trickle, and Pitt’s Sonny Hayes may share a contentious history. "They were rivals at some point… I heard about this epic go-kart battle [between them], and who wouldn’t pay to see those two go head-to-head on the track?" he stated.
Cruise himself confirmed their competitive spirit during a CinemaCon appearance, recalling their go-kart racing nights while filming Interview with the Vampire. "It’s great to see Brad driving… he’s a very good driver," Cruise noted.
The prospect of this crossover has gained traction following Cruise’s recent appearance at the London premiere of the F1 film, where he joined Pitt on the red carpet. At the Mexican premiere, Pitt commented on the potential collaboration, humorously expressing his limits regarding stunt work, stating, "I’m not going to hang my ass off airplanes and s—t like that."
While there are talks of a sequel to Days of Thunder, fueled by Cruise’s interest after the success of Top Gun: Maverick, F1 producer Jerry Bruckheimer emphasized that any new projects depend on the box office performance of the current film. "That’s up to you… if a lot of people come to see it, we’ll figure out how to make another one," he remarked.
The current Formula 1 film was released globally on June 25, with the U.S. premiere occurring two days later. The evolving narrative of these cinematic partnerships showcases motorsport’s growing intersection with mainstream entertainment.
