Randy Quaid, who starred alongside Tom Cruise in the 1990 film "Days of Thunder," has publicly criticized the casting of Anne Hathaway in the upcoming sequel. Hathaway, 43, was announced last week as a co-star in the new installment alongside Cruise, 64. Quaid described Hathaway as “too woke” and a “horrible choice” for the film’s female lead, sparking a debate over the casting decisions.

Posting on social media platform X, Quaid called Hathaway a “terrible choice” and argued she lacked the sex appeal needed for the role, contrasting her unfavorably with original co-star Nicole Kidman. Quaid suggested that Kidman, who played Cruise’s love interest and was married to him for 11 years after meeting on the set, would have been a better fit to reprise a lead role. He wrote that the project should “not be personal; it’s filmmaking,” and criticized Hathaway for being pregnant, implying it affected her suitability for the part.

In further posts, Quaid described Hathaway as a “leftist” and “woke,” stating the film’s traditional NASCAR audience aligns more with MAGA supporters and would prefer the original casting choices. The actor’s comments come amid broader conversations about diversity and political themes in Hollywood.

Hathaway is currently expecting her third child and confirmed she will give birth before filming begins. The Oscar-winning actress recently appeared in Christopher Nolan’s latest film, and a clip from her role resurfaced online, drawing both praise and criticism related to its perceived political messaging. Elon Musk also weighed in on related casting controversies, arguing Hathaway was simply reading a script without independent judgment.

In the original "Days of Thunder," Quaid portrayed Tim Daland, the owner of a NASCAR racing team that recruits Cruise’s character, rookie driver Cole Trickle. Since the early 1990s, Quaid’s career has seen significant challenges, including legal troubles in 2009 connected to an unpaid hotel bill.

As production of the sequel moves forward, the debate over casting reflects ongoing tensions in the entertainment industry related to audience expectations, representation, and the evolving landscape of film storytelling.