Days of Thunder Sequel Faces Casting Backlash, 2028

Tom Cruise announced a Days of Thunder 2 slated for a June 2028 release, with Anne Hathaway starring opposite him in a high-profile IMAX-focused production. The announcement has sparked backlash from Randy Quaid, who played Tim Daland in the original, criticizing Hathaway as a “leftist, woke” choice and suggesting Nicole Kidman would draw stronger MAGA-leaning audiences. Quaid also cites Hathaway’s pregnancy and jokes about having the baby before filming as part of the casting critique. Cruise’s social-media post featuring the duo with a race car has intensified discussions about whether the original pairing should be revived or replaced, highlighting divisions among fans and former cast members. The project remains described as an IMAX-forward return with a June 2028 target, though production plans and casting reception appear unsettled.