Randy Quaid Criticizes Anne Hathaway's Casting in 'Days of Thunder' Sequel

Key points

• Paramount Pictures is producing a sequel to the 1990 film 'Days of Thunder,' with Tom Cruise reprising his role as NASCAR driver Cole Trickle.
• Anne Hathaway has been cast as a team owner and engineer, a role that has drawn criticism from original cast member Randy Quaid.
• The film is directed by Jonathan Levine and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, with a planned release in the summer of 2028.
• The original 1990 film earned $157.9 million worldwide and featured Nicole Kidman, who later married Tom Cruise.
• Randy Quaid criticized Hathaway's casting on social media, calling it a 'horrible choice' and advocating for Kidman's return.

Background

The original 'Days of Thunder' was a 1990 sports film that grossed $157.9 million globally. It featured a cast including Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes, John C. Reilly, and Nicole Kidman. The sequel follows the successful model of 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022), which was released 36 years after the original and grossed $1.5 billion. The new film is being shot in IMAX and is scheduled for a summer 2028 release.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times reported the announcement of the sequel, highlighting the involvement of director Jonathan Levine and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, and noting Hathaway's current work on 'The Odyssey' and 'The Devil Wears Prada 2.' In contrast, The Independent focused on the backlash from Randy Quaid, who criticized Hathaway's casting as a 'horrible choice' and argued that Nicole Kidman should have been cast instead. Quaid's comments, as reported by The Independent, included characterizations of Hathaway as a 'leftist, woke' figure, a detail not mentioned in the Los Angeles Times coverage.

Why it matters

The casting controversy highlights the tension between legacy sequels and original cast members, as well as the commercial strategy of pairing a veteran star like Tom Cruise with a contemporary A-list actress like Anne Hathaway. The project's success will depend on balancing nostalgia for the 1990 original with a new audience, a strategy that previously worked for 'Top Gun: Maverick.'

What to watch

The film is expected to be released in the summer of 2028. Further details on the plot and additional cast members are likely to be announced as production progresses. The reaction to Quaid's comments may influence public perception of the film's marketing and reception.