GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY star Michael Rooker is the newest cast member of the Dennis Quaid-led NASCAR drama, THUNDER ROAD.
The series “follows the multi-generational saga of the Whitlock family, whose legacy in stock car racing intertwines with their southern hill country roots, featuring family dynamics and fierce rivalries in the world of NASCAR,” IMDB said.
Rooker will play Lucas, the patriarch of the Farley family. He’s a tough older man who’s spent his life on the edge. His body isn’t what it used to be, but his will is still as strong as iron, Deadline said.
Rooker previously played Rowdy Burns in the 1990 NASCAR movie, DAYS OF THUNDER.
Quaid will star as Duane Whitlock, a dirt track legend. Chase Stokes will play Ronnie Whitolck, a former pro racer and troublemaker who’s been relegated to his cousin’s pit crew.
Quaid is no stranger to sports movies. The 72-year-old and Teddy Bear Award® winner has acted in THE ROOKIE, ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, THE EXPRESS: THE ERNIE DAVIS STORY, THE LONG GAME, EVERYBODY’S ALL-AMERICAN and AMERICAN UNDERDOG.
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Shooting for THUNDER ROAD will begin this summer for a 2027 release on AMC and AMC+.
“We are thrilled to team up with NASCAR, a world class partner that continues to engage and entertain their deeply loyal fans for nearly 80 years,” said Dan McDermott, Chief Content Officer of AMC Global Media and President of AMC Studios. “And in the ultimate dream casting, we’re fortunate to have the legendary Dennis Quaid lead this captivating series. This show will be a nonstop thrill ride for viewers.”
John Fusco, known for YOUNG GUNS and THE HIGHWAY MAN, is set to executive produce. Taylor Elmore; Cliff Roberts with Syndicate Entertainment; Mark L. Smith and NASCAR Studio’s Tim Clark and John Dahl will also executively produce. Elmore is the showrunner. Gladys Cheng serves as producer. The show is produced in association with NASCAR.
The show comes at a timely moment in Hollywood. There’s a recent racing obsession. Full Speed: The Daytona 500, a NASCAR documentary on Prime Video, just came out in March, and Brad Pitt’s F1 movie came out last summer and has made $634 million worldwide, per Box Office Mojo.
And Paramount currently has a sequel to DAYS OF THUNDER in development, Heavy reported. Tom Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION writer Will Staples is rumored to be the writer behind the project, Awful Announcing reported.
THUNDER ROAD will be the first series to highlight NASCAR in a long-form drama, Daily Down Force reported.
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