Randy Quaid has publicly criticized the casting of Anne Hathaway as Tom Cruise's co-star in the upcoming sequel "Days of Thunder 2," describing the choice as "woke" and "horrible."
Quaid, 75, who portrayed Tim Daland in the 1990 original, took to social media on Saturday to voice his objections following the announcement of Hathaway's involvement. He stated that Hathaway's political leanings, which he characterized as "Democrat-geared," make her an unsuitable fit for the NASCAR racing sequel's audience, whom he described as "MAGA." Hathaway has previously endorsed Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris.
Quaid suggested that Cruise's ex-wife, Nicole Kidman, who played Dr. Claire Lewicki in the first film, would be a more appropriate choice for the sequel's love interest. "The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole," Quaid said, adding that reuniting Cruise and Kidman on screen would be a stronger draw for audiences. He further remarked, "Don’t be a p***y, @TomCruise. You need the original girl. It’s not personal; it’s filmmaking."
Hathaway, who is pregnant with her third child, has indicated she plans to "have this baby, then make the movie." She is slated to play an engineer and racing team owner in the sequel. Cruise will reprise his role as Cole Trickle, with Jonathan Levine directing.
Quaid also commented on the production timeline, suggesting the film might be rushed. He recalled the intense effort that went into making the original "Days of Thunder," noting that editors "slept in the cutting room on shifts." He expressed concern that the sequel might be "rushed into theaters" and "want it to come out and tank."
The original "Days of Thunder," directed by the late Tony Scott, was released in June 1990 and grossed $82.6 million domestically and $157.9 million worldwide.
"Days of Thunder 2" is scheduled for release on June 2, 2028. Representatives for Hathaway and Quaid have been contacted for further comment.