Forget 'Days of Thunder 2,' Tom Cruise needs to sequel this 1980s masterpiece instead

Introduction

Tom Cruise is undeniably a sequel machine. With a legacy that spans decades, he continues to return to his most iconic roles, from piloting fighter jets in the upcoming Top Gun 3 to performing death-defying stunts as Ethan Hunt in the Mission: Impossible franchise. Recently, news broke that Cruise is stepping back onto the racetrack for Days of Thunder 2, reprising his role as the hotshot driver Cole Trickle from the 1990 original. However, while racing fans might rejoice, there is a far more compelling 1980s classic sitting in Cruise's filmography that deserves a legacy sequel instead: The Color of Money.

The Case For (and Against) Days of Thunder 2

In the grand pantheon of Tom Cruise films, 1990's Days of Thunder sits comfortably below his more illustrious works. While it features all the high-octane elements one expects—obsessive dedication to NASCAR, aggressive driving tactics, and a partnership with super-producer Jerry Bruckheimer—it lacks the cultural footprint of Top Gun or Mission: Impossible. Bringing back Cole Trickle as a veteran mentor guiding a younger generation feels a bit too similar to the plotting of recent sports dramas like Brad Pitt's F1. Legacy sequels are a notoriously risky venture, and unless Cruise brings something entirely groundbreaking to the driver's seat, Days of Thunder 2 risks feeling like familiar territory.

Why 'The Color of Money' is Ripe for a Sequel

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, Martin Scorsese’s The Color of Money remains a masterclass in tension, ego, and character-driven drama. In the 1986 film, Cruise played Vincent Lauria, a wildly confident and exceptionally talented pool player taken under the wing of Paul Newman's legendary "Fast Eddie" Felson. The film brilliantly blended Scorsese's kinetic direction with deep psychological explorations of pride, greed, and corruption—not to mention the iconic 'Werewolves of London' cue-stick dance sequence.

A sequel to The Color of Money would allow Cruise to pivot away from invulnerable action heroes and return to dramatic, dialogue-driven storytelling. Crucially, a follow-up could present a scenario Cruise rarely plays on screen: a character at rock bottom. Having an older Vincent face defeat and mentor an upstart player would provide a rich narrative landscape, potentially giving Cruise the prime narrative vehicle needed to secure a much-deserved competitive acting Oscar, following in the footsteps of Paul Newman's historic win for the original.

Conclusion

While Days of Thunder 2 is already locked in for a future release date via Paramount Skydance, Hollywood's last true movie star should seriously consider stepping back into the smoky, high-stakes atmosphere of the pool hall. Reconnecting with Martin Scorsese to orchestrate a sequel to The Color of Money would offer a refreshing change of pace, proving that Cruise's dramatic chops are just as potent as his need for speed.