Culture 5 min read By Trevor Kendall
Randy Quaid Calls Anne Hathaway a «Horrible Choice» for «Days of Thunder 2»
Randy Quaid criticized Anne Hathaway's casting in the upcoming «Days of Thunder 2» sequel, saying the pregnant Oscar winner is a «horrible choice» and urging Tom Cruise to bring back Nicole Kidman instead.
Randy Quaid, who starred in the original «Days of Thunder», has publicly attacked the casting of Anne Hathaway in the upcoming sequel, calling the Oscar-winning actress a «horrible choice» for the film. In a series of posts on X, the 75-year-old actor urged Tom Cruise to reconsider the decision and bring back Nicole Kidman, who played Cruise's love interest in the 1990 racing drama.
«We need Nicole back», Quaid wrote. «Don't be a pussy, [Tom Cruise]. You need the original girl. It's not personal; it's filmmaking. Anne isn't…» The post was cut off, but Quaid continued his criticism in subsequent messages, describing Hathaway as «woke» and «leftist» while noting that she is currently pregnant with her third child. The remarks have drawn widespread backlash online, with many fans and industry observers calling the diatribe problematic and unnecessary.
Paramount announced earlier this week that Hathaway would join Cruise in «Days of Thunder 2», the long-gestating sequel to the 1990 NASCAR drama that helped cement Cruise's status as a box-office star. The original film, directed by Tony Scott, followed Cruise's character Cole Trickle, a hotshot stock car driver, and featured Kidman as his love interest, Dr. Claire Lewicki. Details about Hathaway's role in the sequel have not been revealed, but her casting has been widely celebrated as a major addition to the project.
Quaid, who played Rowdy Burns in the original film, has a history of erratic public behavior. He and his wife Evi faced legal troubles in the 2000s, including charges of burglary and vandalism in California, and later fled to Canada, where they sought refugee status. In recent years, Quaid has resurfaced on social media with a series of controversial and often conspiratorial posts, including claims about Hollywood elites and government corruption.
The backlash to Quaid's comments has been swift. Many fans pointed out that Kidman, who is now 59, was not announced for the sequel and that Hathaway's pregnancy should have no bearing on her ability to perform. Others noted that Quaid's suggestion to «bring back the original girl» ignores the fact that Kidman has not been attached to the project and that the sequel is expected to feature a new storyline rather than a direct continuation of the original romance.
Neither Cruise, Hathaway, nor Paramount has responded to Quaid's remarks. «Days of Thunder 2» is currently in development, with no release date announced. The sequel is expected to bring Cruise back to the world of stock car racing, with modern technology and a new generation of drivers. Hathaway's involvement marks one of the highest-profile additions to the project so far, and her casting has been seen as a sign that Paramount is aiming for a major blockbuster release.
The controversy comes at a time when Hollywood is increasingly scrutinizing the behavior and statements of veteran actors, particularly those who use social media to attack colleagues. Quaid's comments have been widely condemned as sexist and out of touch, with many noting that criticizing an actress for being pregnant is both unprofessional and deeply inappropriate. The incident has also reignited conversations about the treatment of women in the film industry, particularly regarding pregnancy and motherhood.
For now, the focus remains on the sequel itself, which has been in various stages of development for years. Cruise, who is known for his hands-on approach to filmmaking, is expected to be heavily involved in the production. Hathaway's casting suggests that the film will feature a significant female lead, though it remains unclear whether she will play a romantic interest, a rival driver, or a character in a different capacity. Fans of the original film will have to wait for more details, but the controversy surrounding Quaid's comments is unlikely to derail a project that has been eagerly anticipated for decades.
