Following the announcement of Robert Duvall’s death yesterday, Paramount+ subscribers have renewed interest in the 1990 film Days of Thunder, in which Duvall portrayed crew chief Harry Hogge. The movie has surged to number four on the streaming service’s Top 10 Movies list in the United States, highlighting the enduring appeal of Robert Duvall Days of Thunder among viewers.
Days of Thunder is not the only Robert Duvall film to reappear on Paramount+’s charts; The Godfather also ranks at number eight. In the classic 1972 crime epic, Duvall famously played Tom Hagen, a character still remembered for his critical role in the story. This resurgence reflects renewed attention on Duvall’s significant contributions to cinema.
A Look Back at Days of Thunder’s Story and Characters
Originally released by Paramount Pictures on June 27, 1990, Days of Thunder stars Tom Cruise as Cole Trickle, an emerging stock car driver competing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. Guided by veteran crew chief Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall, Cole works hard to prove himself on the track. The film focuses on Cole’s intense rivalry with fellow driver Rowdy Burns, portrayed by Michael Rooker, which escalates until both racers suffer serious injuries.
While recuperating in Daytona Beach, Cole’s animosity towards Rowdy turns into friendship, and he begins a romantic relationship with Dr. Claire Lewicki, a neurosurgeon played by Nicole Kidman. With Rowdy sidelined, Cole agrees to race Rowdy’s car in the prestigious Daytona 500 against a new competitor, Russ Wheeler, bringing additional drama to the story.
Days of Thunder: A Reunion of Top Gun Talent
The film marked a reunion for Tom Cruise with Top Gun director Tony Scott and producers Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer. While the movie received mixed reviews—praise aimed at performances from Cruise and Duvall but criticism for a perceived lack of originality compared to Top Gun—audiences responded enthusiastically. Days of Thunder grossed $157.9 million worldwide on a $60 million budget, proving its commercial success despite critiques.
Interest in the franchise has continued, with Paramount, Cruise, and Bruckheimer developing a sequel after the success of Top Gun: Maverick in 2022. Joseph Kosinski, director of Maverick and the recent film F1, has expressed enthusiasm for leading the follow-up, aiming to connect the narratives of Days of Thunder and F1.
Right now, it’d be Cole Trickle. We find out that he and Sonny Hayes [Brad Pitt’s character in F1] have a past. They were rivals at some point, maybe crossed paths…,
pitched Kosinski.
I heard about this epic go-kart battle on Interview with the Vampire that Brad and Tom had, and who wouldn’t pay to see those two go head-to-head on the track?
—Joseph Kosinski, Director
Future Prospects for the Days of Thunder Sequel
The timeline for an official greenlight from Paramount on the Days of Thunder sequel remains uncertain. Meanwhile, a third Top Gun movie is also in production. Should Cruise and Bruckheimer choose Kosinski as the director, he would need to complete work on the upcoming Miami Vice project, which will begin filming later this year. Until then, Days of Thunder remains available for streaming on Paramount+, allowing new and longtime fans to revisit the film.
Principal Cast of Days of Thunder
The film features Tom Cruise as the ambitious racer Cole Trickle, with Robert Duvall in the role of Harry Hogge, the seasoned crew chief. Nicole Kidman stars as Dr. Claire Lewicki, the neurosurgeon and Cole’s love interest. Additional performances include Randy Quaid as Tim Dalander, Michael Rooker as Rowdy Burns, and Cary Elwes as Russ Wheeler, rounding out the key players connected through rivalry, friendship, and high-stakes competition on the NASCAR circuit.
