Randy Quaid has publicly criticized Anne Hathaway’s casting in the upcoming Days of Thunder sequel, arguing that Tom Cruise should instead reunite on screen with his original co-star and former wife, Nicole Kidman.
Quaid, who played team owner Tim Daland in the 1990 racing movie, posted a series of comments on X after Cruise and Hathaway officially announced their involvement in the long-awaited sequel.
His comments targeted Hathaway’s political views, pregnancy and suitability for the NASCAR-centered film. Quaid described her casting as a “horrible choice” and argued that Kidman’s return as Dr. Claire Lewicki would create a stronger connection with the original movie.
The controversy comes just as Paramount Pictures begins building momentum around the sequel, which will bring Cruise back as racer Cole Trickle nearly four decades after the original.
Randy Quaid Takes Aim at Anne Hathaway’s Casting
Quaid made his objections clear through multiple social media posts.
The 75-year-old actor characterized Hathaway as “leftist” and “woke” while claiming that her politics would not appeal to the NASCAR audience he believes the film is targeting. He also made disparaging remarks about Hathaway’s appearance and pregnancy.
Hathaway is currently expecting her third child, but that has not prevented her from maintaining a busy slate of film projects. Her involvement in the new Days of Thunder was formally revealed over the weekend.
The actress is expected to portray a race team owner and engineer, rather than replacing Kidman as Dr. Claire Lewicki. Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle.
Neither Hathaway nor Cruise had publicly responded to Quaid’s criticism at the time of reporting.
Randy Quaid Wants Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman Reunited
At the center of Quaid’s argument is the idea that the sequel should lean more heavily into nostalgia.
He said he would prefer to see Nicole Kidman return opposite Tom Cruise, arguing that reuniting the former couple would give audiences a stronger reason to watch the movie.
Kidman played Dr. Claire Lewicki, the neurosurgeon who treats Cole after a racing accident and eventually becomes his romantic interest, in the original film.
Cruise and Kidman also famously met while making Days of Thunder. They married in 1990 and divorced in 2001.
Despite Quaid’s suggestion, there has been no official announcement that Kidman will appear in the sequel.
What We Know About the New Days of Thunder Movie
While Quaid’s comments are generating attention, Paramount’s sequel is already becoming a significant Hollywood production.
Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway will star, with Cruise also producing alongside longtime collaborator Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
50/50 and Warm Bodies filmmaker Jonathan Levine is directing from a screenplay by Will Staples. The movie is scheduled for an exclusive theatrical release on June 2, 2028.
The production is also being designed with premium theatrical presentation in mind. It will be filmed for IMAX, with plans for Dolby Cinema and 4DX screenings.
Cruise and Hathaway revealed the project from Daytona International Speedway, appearing together alongside a race car as they introduced the next chapter of the franchise.
Plot details remain limited, but Hathaway’s role as a team owner and engineer suggests the sequel will introduce a new racing operation around Cruise’s returning Cole Trickle.
7 Things to Know About the Days of Thunder Sequel
Here are the biggest confirmed details surrounding the movie so far:
- Tom Cruise is returning as Cole Trickle. He first played the ambitious NASCAR driver in the 1990 original.
- Anne Hathaway is joining the franchise. She will reportedly portray a race team owner and engineer.
- Jonathan Levine will direct. His previous credits include 50/50, Warm Bodies and Long Shot.
- Will Staples is writing the screenplay. Details about the movie’s larger story remain under wraps.
- Jerry Bruckheimer is returning as a producer. He produced the original film and later reunited with Cruise for Top Gun: Maverick.
- The release date is June 2, 2028. Paramount plans to release the film exclusively in theaters, including IMAX and other premium formats.
- Other original cast members have not been confirmed. There is currently no official word that Kidman, Quaid, Michael Rooker, John C. Reilly or Cary Elwes will reprise their characters.
Randy Quaid Played Tim Daland in the Original Film
Randy Quaid has a direct connection to the franchise.
In the original movie, he portrayed Tim Daland, the businessman who discovers Cole Trickle and brings him into NASCAR racing.
Daland pairs Cole with legendary crew chief and car builder Harry Hogge, played by Robert Duvall. The supporting cast also included Kidman as Claire Lewicki, Michael Rooker as Rowdy Burns, Cary Elwes as Russ Wheeler and John C. Reilly as Buck Bretherton.
Quaid’s performance came during a particularly prolific period in his career. Just months earlier, audiences had seen him as Cousin Eddie in 1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, a character that became one of his best-known roles.
Despite his history with Days of Thunder, Quaid has not been officially announced as part of the sequel’s cast.
The Original Days of Thunder Became a Racing Favorite
Released in 1990, Days of Thunder was directed by Tony Scott, who had previously directed Cruise in Top Gun.
Robert Towne wrote the screenplay from a story credited to Towne and Cruise, while Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer produced. Hans Zimmer composed the score.
The story follows talented but inexperienced driver Cole Trickle as he attempts to establish himself in NASCAR. His journey includes a rivalry with Rowdy Burns, a serious crash and his relationship with Claire Lewicki.
The movie earned approximately $157.9 million worldwide, including about $82.7 million domestically.
It also featured appearances from real-world NASCAR personalities and filmed at multiple racing locations, including Charlotte, Daytona and Darlington.
Over the decades, the film has remained particularly recognizable among racing fans, making it another Cruise property suited to Hollywood’s growing interest in legacy sequels.
Why the Sequel Is Drawing Top Gun: Maverick Comparisons
The obvious comparison is Top Gun: Maverick.
That movie demonstrated how Cruise and Bruckheimer could revisit a decades-old Tony Scott film while introducing new characters and updating the action for modern audiences.
Top Gun: Maverick ultimately became an enormous global success, earning nearly $1.5 billion worldwide.
Now Cruise and Bruckheimer are returning to another movie they originally made with Scott.
The major difference is that Days of Thunder never reached the cultural or commercial heights of Top Gun. The new film therefore has an opportunity to both capitalize on nostalgia and introduce Cole Trickle to audiences who may never have seen the original.
Hathaway’s new character could be an important part of that strategy.
Rather than simply recreating the original cast dynamic, the sequel appears positioned to introduce new figures into the racing world surrounding Cole.
Is Nicole Kidman Returning to Days of Thunder?
For now, there is no confirmation that Nicole Kidman will return.
Quaid’s comments represent his personal opinion about how the sequel should be cast, not an announcement about Paramount’s actual plans.
Kidman remains closely associated with the original because Days of Thunder was an important early Hollywood role for the Australian actress. It was also the project where she met Cruise.
Whether the sequel eventually brings Claire Lewicki back remains unknown.
Similarly, Paramount has not announced returns for other major original characters such as Harry Hogge, Rowdy Burns, Buck Bretherton or Tim Daland.
That leaves considerable room for future casting announcements as the movie moves closer to production.
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FAQs
What Did Randy Quaid Say About Anne Hathaway?
Randy Quaid criticized Hathaway’s casting in the upcoming Days of Thunder sequel through posts on X. He objected to her political views and made remarks about her pregnancy and appearance while arguing that Nicole Kidman should return instead.
Who Is Anne Hathaway Playing in Days of Thunder 2?
Hathaway is expected to play a race team owner and engineer opposite Cruise’s returning Cole Trickle. The role is a new character rather than Nicole Kidman’s Claire Lewicki.
When Will the New Days of Thunder Movie Be Released?
Paramount has scheduled the Days of Thunder sequel for an exclusive theatrical release on June 2, 2028. The film will be shot for IMAX and directed by Jonathan Levine.
