Randy Quaid Blasts Anne Hathaway Casting in 'Days of Thunder' Sequel

Key points

• Randy Quaid criticized Anne Hathaway's casting in the 'Days of Thunder' sequel, calling her a 'horrible choice' and urging Tom Cruise to cast Nicole Kidman instead.
• The 'Days of Thunder' sequel is set for a June 2, 2028 release, with Tom Cruise reprising his role as Cole Trickle and Anne Hathaway playing a new character as a team owner and engineer.
• Quaid's comments, posted on X, included claims that Hathaway is 'woke' and 'not sexy' due to her pregnancy, and that the film would 'tank' with the NASCAR audience.
• The original 1990 film starred Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, and Randy Quaid, with Cruise and Kidman later marrying and divorcing in 2001.
• The sequel is directed by Jonathan Levine and produced by Tom Cruise, Jerry Bruckheimer, and Tommy Harper, with the film being shot for IMAX screens.

Background

The original 'Days of Thunder' was a 1990 NASCAR racing film directed by Tony Scott, starring Tom Cruise as rookie driver Cole Trickle, Nicole Kidman as his love interest, and Randy Quaid as the team owner. The film grossed $157.9 million worldwide against a $60 million budget. The sequel is the first major IP project for Cruise after the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise, and follows the success of the 'F1' film, which also had Jerry Bruckheimer as a producer.

How outlets are covering it

Page Six and Deadline both reported on Randy Quaid's social media posts criticizing Anne Hathaway's casting, with Page Six emphasizing his comments about her pregnancy and political views, and Deadline noting his earlier video teasing his return to the film. Variety and Motorsport.com focused on the announcement of the sequel, with Variety highlighting Hathaway's role as a team owner and engineer, and Motorsport.com noting the film's IMAX release and the cultural relevance of the original film to NASCAR fans. All sources agreed on the June 2, 2028 release date and the involvement of Jonathan Levine as director and Jerry Bruckheimer as producer.

Why it matters

The casting controversy highlights the ongoing debate over the direction of the 'Days of Thunder' franchise and the potential impact on its audience. Quaid's comments, while controversial, reflect a segment of the fanbase that may be resistant to the new direction of the film. The sequel's success will depend on its ability to balance nostalgia with new storytelling, and the controversy may affect its reception among fans of the original film.

What to watch

The 'Days of Thunder' sequel is set for a June 2, 2028 release, with production likely to begin in the coming months. The film will be shot for IMAX screens and released exclusively in theaters, with formats including Dolby Cinema and 4DX. The controversy over the casting may continue to generate discussion among fans and critics, and the film's success will depend on its ability to balance nostalgia with new storytelling.