Actor Randy Quaid has criticised Tom Cruise's casting of Anne Hathaway in the forthcoming "Days of Thunder" sequel, saying she lacks the "sex appeal" needed for the role and calling her a "leftist, woke, horrible choice" to succeed Nicole Kidman. Quaid, who appeared alongside Cruise in the 1990 original, argued that late director Tony Scott would never have chosen Hathaway and that Kidman should reprise her role opposite Cruise instead. The remarks have sparked a mixed reaction online, highlighting ongoing tension between political commentary and casting decisions in Hollywood.

In his statement to Fox News Digital and posts on X, Quaid said Scott favoured "high-octane" actresses with sex appeal and claimed Hathaway would be difficult to work around on screen. Kidman played a neurosurgeon who romances Cruise's rookie NASCAR driver in the original film, while Hathaway is set to play a team owner in the new Paramount production. Quaid also noted he is currently pregnant, adding this affected his view of her suitability, and revealed he had initially been excited by Cruise's personal call about the sequel before turning against the casting. Representatives for Hathaway and Cruise have not responded to requests for comment, and social media users were split, with some accusing Quaid of injecting politics into the film and others backing his stance.