India, Aug. 29 -- After years of speculation, Tom Cruise is finally taking his NASCAR helmet back out of the garage. The actor has officially confirmed that a sequel to the 1990 racing drama Days of Thunder is moving ahead, bringing back his character, Cole Trickle, for another high-speed story. The announcement came from Daytona International Speedway, giving the project a fitting racing backdrop as Cruise revealed that the movie will arrive in summer 2028.

The biggest new addition is Anne Hathaway, who will star opposite Cruise in the sequel. While Paramount has kept the story under wraps, reports indicate that Hathaway is expected to play a race-team owner and engineer. The movie will mark the first time Cruise and Hathaway appear tog...