Whether piloting jets or landing on the moon, Glen Powell is unabashedly soaring to new heights. Continuing his supersonic streak, Powell gears up for his long-awaited blockbuster—Top Gun: Maverick.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN RUSSO
“It’s the greatest version of icing the kicker… ever,” jokes actor Glen Powell, reflecting on the twice-delayed debut of the highly anticipated Top Gun: Maverick. Having completed filming in 2019, the epic undertaking from Paramount Pictures put the film’s release on hold due to the pandemic. Without batting an eye, Powell promises that the film, which is now set to hit theaters May 27, will be well worth the wait. “This movie delivers on every level. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen. It’s a true testament to why movies are made.”
Originally from Austin, Texas, the charismatic Powell studied at The University of Texas at Austin at the school of radio, television and film before making his move to Los Angeles. Cultivating his craft from an early age, Powell first sank his teeth in the biz with smaller roles in television and film. It wasn’t long, however, before he started making a name for himself on the scene. He secured a part in Denzel Washington-directed film The Great Debaters, which Powell credits as the role that gave him the confidence to know his childhood dream would, in fact, turn into a tangible career path. From there, it was game on.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN RUSSO
Spanning from The Expendables 3 to Hidden Figures, Powell has shared the spotlight with some of the most iconic names in the industry—Sylvester Stallone, Wesley Snipes, Octavia Spencer, Kevin Costner. He has certainly found himself on the ride of a lifetime. When asked what has particularly struck a chord throughout his experience thus far, he notes: “Kevin Costner really took me under his wing while we were filming Hidden Figures, where he shared something that has stuck with me. He shared, ‘As an actor, you have a beautiful responsibility for putting stories out in the world.’ From that point on, I started to look at and read scripts differently, making sure I would be proud of the ideas that these films represent. I just try [to] be really deliberate about my choices.”
“L.A. is—at its best—the greatest of dreamers and people who are willing to put themselves out there to be a little crazy, be a little vulnerable, and do things that make everybody’s existence on this planet a lot more fun.”
“This movie is not just a story that delivers—it transcends you to a world that is exciting and adventurous.”
There is no doubt that Powell has worked hard to achieve his goals throughout his career. His resilient and charming personality lends itself to his “light up the room” effect on those around him. “I never wanted to be the guy with my hand out,” shares Powell. “I always wanted to be offering something, so instead of waiting on the perfect job, I just try and create it.” Powell shares that his upbringing has helped him stay grounded within such a fiercely competitive industry. “I think there’s a work hard, play hard mentality in Texas—that’s the DNA,” shares Powell. “We are resourceful and get the job done.”
Currently living in Beachwood Canyon, Powell has learned many things in his adopted hometown. “L.A. is—at its best—the greatest of dreamers and people who are willing to put themselves out there to be a little crazy, be a little vulnerable, and do things that make everybody’s existence on this planet a lot more fun,” he says. “So, for me, that’s sort of been one of the things that I love about L.A. more than anything. L.A. is at the forefront of people who are innovators—people who are thinking differently, who are trying new things, who are seeing the trends before the rest of the country. And for me, I love being around those kinds of people who are hungry to change the game.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN RUSSO
It is undeniable that Powell is jet-setting on a noteworthy trajectory. As he readies to star alongside Tom Cruise in the role of a lifetime, Powell reflects on his exhilarating ride—literally. “Tom was generous about putting us in planes in incremental bits so we could learn. We learned the basics of flight and got us prepared and ready for game day. Tom put the flight program together. He knew how intense it was from the first movie. It was a very merciful move,” jokes Powell. “Flying offers a new sense of freedom. At times I even felt like more of a pilot than an actor.” He promises that, come May, audiences will feel firsthand what it’s like to fly an FA18 fighter jet at 450 mph through the canyons. “This movie is not just a story that delivers—it transcends you to a world that is exciting and adventurous. It tests the magic of movies in every way possible, and it will leave you walking out of the theater with a little more swagger.”
Powell reflects on being at a pivotal point in his career, ready to fly to new heights: “You always want to be a pilot who is pessimistic about what an airplane can do to you up in the air, but confident in your ability as a pilot,” he says. “I feel certain that Hollywood will throw me all sorts of curveballs, but confident that I will be able to handle them.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JOHN RUSSO
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