Randy Quaid Slams Anne Hathaway Casting in Days of Thunder Sequel
- Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway are officially set to star in a follow-up film to the 1990 racing drama Days of Thunder, slated for a theatrical release in...
- Randy Quaid, who played racing team owner Tim Daland in the 1990 original film, criticized the new production on the social media platform X, labeling Hathaway a leftist,...
- According to reporting from Variety, Hathaway will not play a simple replacement for Kidman's character.
Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway are officially set to star in a follow-up film to the 1990 racing drama Days of Thunder, slated for a theatrical release in 2028, according to studio announcements reported by multiple outlets. The upcoming sequel has already drawn public criticism from original cast member Randy Quaid, who took to social media to attack Hathaway’s casting and campaign for the return of original co-star Nicole Kidman, according to coverage by Deadline.
Randy Quaid Slams Casting Choice and Demands Nicole Kidman Return
Randy Quaid, who played racing team owner Tim Daland in the 1990 original film, criticized the new production on the social media platform X, labeling Hathaway a leftist, woke, horrible choice
for the franchise. Quaid argued that Kidman would be a more suitable fit for the NASCAR-focused audience and suggested that the new casting decision could negatively impact the film commercially.
Quaid also demanded that Kidman return. Representatives for Paramount and Anne Hathaway had not responded to Quaid’s remarks at the time of publication, according to Variety.
Production Details and Anne Hathaway’s Role in the Days of Thunder Sequel
According to reporting from Variety, Hathaway will not play a simple replacement for Kidman’s character. Instead, Hathaway is cast as a racecar team owner and engineer, while Tom Cruise returns to star as Cole Trickle. The sequel is directed by Jonathan Levine from a screenplay by Will Staples. Tom Cruise is producing the project alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Tommy Harper. Paramount has not yet revealed specific plot details regarding how Cole Trickle’s life or career has evolved in the decades since the original film, though Cruise has stated the project will return to the speed, danger, and teamwork associated with NASCAR, as noted by The Seattle Times.
Franchise History and Unconfirmed Returns
Tony Scott directed the original 1990 film Days of Thunder, which followed open-wheel racer Cole Trickle as he transitioned into stock-car racing under team owner Tim Daland and veteran crew chief Harry Hogge. The original cast also featured Robert Duvall, Michael Rooker, Cary Elwes, and John C. Reilly, according to Rotten Tomatoes. While the original film earned mixed reviews from critics, it grossed approximately $157.9 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. As of publication, Nicole Kidman’s return to the franchise remains unconfirmed by Paramount, leaving the exact lineup of returning characters open as production prepares for the 2028 release window.