Actor Randy Quaid has publicly criticized Tom Cruise for the casting decisions in the upcoming "Days of Thunder" sequel, specifically calling for the return of Nicole Kidman, Cruise's ex-wife and co-star from the original 1990 film. Quaid, who played team owner Tim Daland in the original, expressed his disappointment and directed strong commentary at Cruise via the social media platform X.

"We need Nicole back," Quaid wrote, urging Cruise to include Kidman in the new film. He added, "Don't be a p***y, Tom Cruise. You need the original girl. It's not personal; it's filmmaking."

Quaid also directed personal attacks toward Anne Hathaway, who has been confirmed as Cruise's new leading lady. Hathaway is expected to portray the owner and engineer of a racing team in the sequel. Quaid called Hathaway a "leftist, woke, horrible choice" and stated that the audience for the sequel was "MAGA." He also commented on Hathaway's pregnancy, saying, "Anne isn't sexy, because - and if you haven't noticed - she's pregnant."

Kidman, who played Dr. Claire Lewicki and served as Cole Trickle's love interest in the original "Days of Thunder," has not been announced as part of the sequel's cast. The film documented Cole's recovery and romance with Claire after a racing accident. Cruise and Kidman famously met on the set of the original movie, married in 1990, and later divorced in 2001.

The Hollywood star, 64, will reprise his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle nearly four decades after the original movie - with Anne Hathaway confirmed as his new leading lady

Paramount Pictures has scheduled the "Days of Thunder" sequel for a June 2, 2028 release. Tom Cruise will return as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle, with Jonathan Levine directing and Will Staples writing the screenplay. The film is set to be produced by Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tommy Harper. It will be filmed for IMAX screens and released in premium formats.

Cruise's return to an earlier role follows the success of "Top Gun: Maverick," which revitalized his 1986 film. Hathaway has several other projects in development, including roles in "The Odyssey" and a sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada."

But Randy Quaid, who played team owner Tim Daland in the 1990 racing drama, reacted furiously to the announcement and demanded that Cruise reunite on screen with his ex-wife

Quaid's remarks come after Cruise and Hathaway officially announced their collaboration with promotional materials from Daytona International Speedway. The original "Days of Thunder" earned $157.9 million worldwide and featured a cast including Robert Duvall and John C. Reilly. Cary Elwes, who played rival Russ Wheeler, previously recalled Cruise's intense dedication to the driving sequences, including an incident where Cruise crashed a race car on his first day of filming.