Tom Cruise and Anne Hathaway “Days of Thunder 2” announcement.
Paramount Pictures
A former co-star of Tom Cruise in the original Days of Thunder has publicly expressed strong disapproval regarding the casting of Anne Hathaway in the upcoming sequel to the 1990 racing film.
Cruise and Paramount Pictures announced on Saturday that Days of Thunder 2 has entered production, with a planned theatrical release in 2028. Hathaway, who has starred in three films this summer, including The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Odyssey, and The End of Oak Street, was revealed as a new addition to the cast during the announcement event.
Quaid, who portrayed wealthy car dealership and race team owner Tim Daland in the original film, took to social media on Saturday to condemn the decision. He argued that Hathaway’s casting is incompatible with the predominantly MAGA-aligned NASCAR fanbase.
“Anne Hathaway is a leftist, woke, horrible choice for DAYS OF THUNDER NASCAR audience who are MAGA,” Quaid wrote in a post on X. “The sexy older chick for Tom in this film needs to be Nicole. That’s the casting that would sell the idea. It’s interesting because when we made the first one there was also a rush to get it out; editors slept in the cutting room on shifts. This is a weird thing, like they want it to come out and tank.”
The “Nicole” referenced by Quaid is Nicole Kidman, Cruise’s ex-wife and original Days of Thunder co-star. Cruise and Kidman were married from 1990 until their 2001 divorce. They also starred together in the 1992 epic adventure drama Far and Away and in director Stanley Kubrick’s 1999 erotic thriller Eyes Wide Shut.
Anne Hathaway Assures Tom Cruise She Will Deliver Baby Before Filming ‘Days Of Thunder 2’
News of the sequel broke on Saturday when Paramount Pictures and Tom Cruise released a promotional video featuring the actor and Hathaway walking toward a race car adorned with the film’s official logo.
Standing before the vehicle, Cruise asks Hathaway—who is currently expecting her third child—”Now what?” The Oscar-winning actress, recognized for her role in Les Misérables, replies, “Now what? Let’s make the movie — now what. I’m gonna have this baby, and we’re gonna make this movie.” Cruise responded positively, stating, “That’s a good idea.”
Cruise confirmed the release schedule, adding, “We’re coming out summer of 2028. Don’t be late!”
In the original Days of Thunder, Cruise starred as racing champion Cole Trickle. Alongside Nicole Kidman and Randy Quaid, the film featured performances by Robert Duvall, Cary Elwes, and Michael Rooker. The 1990 movie was directed by Tony Scott, who had previously collaborated with Cruise on the 1986 classic Top Gun.
Specific plot details for Days of Thunder 2 remain undisclosed, though Variety reports that Cruise will reprise his role as Cole while Hathaway is set to portray a racecar team owner and engineer.
Days of Thunder 2 is scheduled for release on June 2, 2028, under the direction of Jonathan Levine.
