A Days of Thunder original is campaigning online to get Anne Hathaway off the sequel
An original Days of Thunder star has blasted Anne Hathaway being cast opposite Tom Cruise for Days of Thunder 2 — and wants a certain co-star back instead.
We've got ourselves a bit of a row brewing ahead of Days of Thunder 2, and, frankly, it's the sort of behind-the-scenes drama that's more entertaining than half the films you see these days. Randy Quaid, of all people, is the one stirring the pot, and he's not been holding back online about the new casting for the sequel. The upshot: Quaid really, really wants Nicole Kidman back, and he's not at all subtle about his opinions on Anne Hathaway taking the new leading role.
Randy Quaid on a Mission
If you're wondering who invited Randy Quaid to the casting meeting—well, nobody, but that hasn't stopped him. He was in the original Days of Thunder in 1990, and apparently feels this gives him a certain moral authority. As soon as the news dropped that Anne Hathaway would be Cruise's main co-star for the upcoming sequel, Quaid jumped right on X (formerly Twitter) with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
He called out directly to Tom Cruise, laying it on thick about his take on the casting. Here's how he put it publicly, tagging Cruise:
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.
By the standards of Hollywood public statements, that's not exactly the usual reserved language, and he didn't let up. Quaid followed up with a (slightly) more measured argument that, if he were in charge, nobody would be swapping out Kidman for a newcomer. Paraphrased: the only sequel worth watching would bring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman back on screen together, and we don't need a "new girl"; we need a new race car. I don't think anyone actually asked for just another car, but you never know with Quaid.
It gets even more pointed. According to Quaid, not only is Hathaway not right for the role—he calls her a "leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA" in another post—but nobody but Kidman will cut it for what he describes as the "sexy older chick" slot alongside Cruise. Tasteful as ever.
Paramount, Hathaway, and a Hint from Quaid
The reality, though, is that Paramount Pictures has already settled this. Anne Hathaway is officially on board for Days of Thunder 2, cast opposite Cruise and slated to play a team owner and engineer. So far, no more plot details from the studio, and—if anyone was worried about Quaid getting his wish—there's been no hint that Nicole Kidman is even in the conversation (publicly, at least).
Just to keep things spicy, Quaid has also teased his own possible return to the franchise. In a quick video on X, he announces, half-joking or possibly fishing for headlines: "Hey, Tom Cruise just called me. We're making Days of Thunder 2!"
Days of Thunder 2 has an official release date—Paramount are aiming for a 2 June 2028 premiere in IMAX.
To sum up: Tom's back, Anne's in, Randy's making his opinions known to the entire internet, Kidman's odds look slim, and the rest of us get to sit and watch the drama unfold for the next couple years until the sequel lands.