Anne Hathaway has revealed that a shared love of cars and racing is the family connection that makes working with Tom Cruise on Days of Thunder 2 special. The sequel to the 1990 NASCAR movie was announced in August, with both stars posing next to a stock car from the production. It marks the first time the two actors have worked together. Speculation about how the pairing happened has followed since.

While Days of Thunder 2 will not hit the track until 2028, the story behind Hathaway’s excitement starts at a much older starting line, her family home.

Anne Hathaway says her family’s love of cars and racing makes Days of Thunder 2 with Tom Cruise feel personal. Asked what she could tease about the sequel, she said she feels like the luckiest girl in the world. Her explanation begins at home.

“My family, we just love cars, we love racing,” Hathaway said in an interview with ScreenRant.

She then added, “so I can’t believe that this now gets to be my job.”

In the chat with ScreenRant, Hathaway said Cruise saw something in her that he wanted for the character. She added that she could not be more thrilled about being chosen for the sequel. The interviewer asked whether the film arrives in summer 2028, and Hathaway confirmed that it does. That leaves fans nearly two years to rewatch the original before the sequel leaves the pit lane.

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While Days of Thunder 2 idled in the garage, Hathaway had already pulled up to cheer for another Cruise movie.

Anne Hathaway showed her support for Tom Cruise’s Digger on Oct. 7 with a five-star Letterboxd review. Calling the film brilliant, she encouraged others to watch it and form their own opinions. She also described it as smart, trippy, aggressive, funny, and ambitious, giving it a perfect 10 out of 10. Her post came days after Digger opened to just $8 million at the domestic box office, marking her first public review on the app.

Reviews were mixed. More than 2,300 Letterboxd users gave Digger a 3.8 average, and the Hathaway review became one of the most popular. Critics were cooler, with only 52% of nearly 300 Rotten Tomatoes reviewers enjoying it, compared with 73% of audience members. Glen Powell also backed the film on Instagram after the Sept. 28 premiere. Hathaway reached the Days of Thunder 2 starting line already in Cruise’s corner.

What are your thoughts on Anne Hathaway costarring with Tom Cruise in Days of Thunder 2? Let us know in the comments.