When the Days of Thunder follow up film was announced Saturday by Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway, many fans were thrilled — with one notable exception.
Randy Quaid, who starred with Cruise in the original 1990 Nascar film, ranted about Hathaway’s casting in a post on X.
“Anne Hathaway is a leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA,” Quaid began.
“The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole,” he continued, likely referring to Nicole Kidman who starred in the original film.
“That’s the casting that would sell the idea. It’s interesting because when we made the first one there was also a rush to get it out; editors slept in the cutting room on shifts. This is a weird thing, like they want it to come out and tank.”
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. It’s interesting because when we made the first one there was also a…
— Randy Quaid (@RandyRRQuaid) August 29, 2026
In a separate post, Quaid again advocated for Kidman’s casting while railing against Hathaway and Cruise, writing: “We need Nicole back. Don’t be a p***y, @TomCruise. 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.”
And in yet another post, he wrote: “If I were in control of production, a real sequel worth watching for DAYS OF THUNDER would be seeing Tom and Nicole together on screen again. We don’t need a new girl; we need a new race car!”
The Independent has contacted representatives for Cruise and Hathaway for comment.
Hathaway is one of the most in-demand stars in Hollywood, with four films out already this year and another — Verity, the latest film adaptation from author Colleen Hoover — slated for an October release.
An Oscar winner for the 2012 film adaptation of Les Misérables, Hathaway is also pregnant with her third child. She confirmed in the announcement for the Days of Thunder sequel that she’ll give birth before filming commences.
Hathaway and Cruise will film the sequel nearly 40 years after the original movie was released. The new film is slated for a June 2028 release.
According to Variety, Cruise will reprise his role from the first film as Cole Trickle. Hathaway will play a racecar team owner and engineer. Jonathan Levine will direct, and Cruise will produce alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper.
In addition to Cruise, the original Days of Thunder starred Kidman, Quaid, Robert Duvall and John C. Reilly. It is not yet clear whether any of the original cast will return for the follow up. Duvall died earlier this year.
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