Original 'Days of Thunder' Actor Slams Anne Hathaway Casting in Sequel

The upcoming sequel to the 1990 racing film *Days of Thunder* has drawn sharp criticism from an actor who appeared in the original movie, according to Brazilian outlet omelete.com.br. The actor, whose name was not disclosed in the report, called the casting of Anne Hathaway "horrible" and described her as a "terrible choice" for the project. The same actor also accused Tom Cruise of being a "coward" in connection with the sequel's announcement, as reported by AdoroCinema and Correio do Povo. Paramount has confirmed that Cruise will reprise his role in the sequel, with Hathaway joining him as a co-lead, according to Globo and Folha de S.Paulo. The original film, directed by Tony Scott, starred Cruise as a rookie NASCAR driver and was released in 1990. The criticism appears to stem from the way the sequel was announced rather than the film's content itself. The actor's comments suggest frustration with Cruise's handling of the reveal, though the specific details of what prompted the "coward" remark were not included in the available reporting. Hathaway's involvement marks a significant addition to the project, which has been in development for years. The sequel will bring back Cruise's character, Cole Trickle, though plot details have not been released.  The backlash highlights the challenges of reviving beloved properties from past decades, particularly when casting decisions draw immediate public scrutiny from those connected to the original production. What remains unclear is whether the actor's criticism reflects broader concerns among the original cast or represents an isolated opinion. Neither Cruise nor Hathaway has publicly responded to the remarks as of the reporting date. The sequel has no confirmed release date yet, but production is expected to move forward despite the controversy.