Randy Quaid is speaking out against Anne Hathaway’s casting in the planned “Days of Thunder” sequel, making clear he believes the franchise should bring back Nicole Kidman instead.
Quaid, 75, who appeared alongside Tom Cruise in the original 1990 NASCAR drama, voiced his frustration on social media after Cruise and Hathaway surfaced in an Instagram Reel announcing that the follow-up film is slated to arrive in theaters in 2028.
“We need Nicole [Kidman] back. Don’t be a pussy @TomCruise,” Quaid wrote on X Saturday. “You need the original girl. It’s not personal; it’s filmmaking. Anne isn’t sexy, because and if you haven’t noticed, she’s pregnant.”
The actor then expanded on his criticism in a second online post, arguing that Hathaway was the wrong fit for the “Days of Thunder” audience. “Anne Hathaway is a leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA. The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole. That’s the casting that would sell the idea.”
Quaid went on to suggest the casting move could hurt the sequel’s chances, adding, “This is a weird thing, like they want it to come out and tank.”
The “Risky Business” actor, 64, and his ex-wife Nicole Kidman, 59, starred in the original 1990 production, but the two have not worked together since Cruise filed for divorce in 2001.
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Hathaway, 43, who is expecting her third child with husband Adam Shulman, is visibly pregnant in the announcement video, noting that she plans to “have this baby, then make the movie,” to which Cruise replies, “That’s a good idea.”
Cruise will reprise his role as NASCAR star Cole Trickle in the sequel, while Hathaway will play a new character; an engineer and team owner.
Quaid has not apparently been asked to reprise his former role in the movie, Tim Daland, who owned the racing team that recruited Cruise’s Trickle.
Cruise — along with Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper — will produce, and Jonathan Levine will direct, according to Deadline.
Days of Thunder 2 is expected to release on June 2, 2028.