Glen Powell recently shared a key piece of career advice he received from Tom Cruise during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show. The revelation came as Powell discussed his initial hesitation about taking a part in Top Gun: Maverick, a decision that ultimately transformed his career trajectory.
The Pivotal Phone Call That Almost Ended Differently
Powell recounted a specific moment when he nearly turned down what would become a significant career opportunity. He had originally auditioned for the role eventually played by Miles Teller in Top Gun: Maverick and was disappointed when director Joseph Kosinski informed him he hadn’t gotten that particular part, though there was another role available.
The actor described receiving this news while wearing an American flag tank top on his balcony on July 4th, calling it his “super sad phone call.” He initially felt reluctant to accept the different role, comparing it to “getting broken up with and then asking, ‘Can we still be friends?’”
Tom Cruise’s Philosophy: Choose Movies, Not Roles
Powell explained that it was a conversation with Tom Cruise that completely changed his perspective on the opportunity and his career approach in general.
“Tom and I sat down, and he kinda gave me some advice,” Powell told Graham Norton. “He said, ‘You know how I have done in my career,’ and I said how. He said, ‘Well, I don’t choose the roles, I choose the movies. I choose good movies and then make those roles great,’ and he kinda convinced me right then and there. And it was the best decision I have ever made.”
This guidance led Powell to accept the role of Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick, which became both a critical and commercial success. The film earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide and revitalized Powell’s career, demonstrating the practical value of Cruise’s advice.
Cruise’s Ongoing Mentorship Beyond Career Choices
Tom Cruise’s mentorship of Glen Powell extends beyond career strategy to practical filmmaking advice, particularly for Powell’s latest project, The Running Man. Powell reached out to Cruise for guidance on performing action sequences safely and effectively.
“Tom rang me to give me the lowdown and what I thought would be a 10 minute call lasted two-and-a-half hours,” Powell revealed. “He basically told me how not to die! He also gave me running lessons. He said, ‘You should film yourself running because you don’t look as cool as you think you do.’ He was so right!”
The advice included specific technical guidance about shooting conditions. Cruise warned Powell about the dangers of performing stunts late at night when fatigue sets in, noting that “people get hurt more often when shooting at five in the morning because you’re rushing to make it before sunrise.”
Applying the Advice to The Running Man
Powell put Cruise’s guidance to practical use in his new film The Running Man, where he performs as Ben Richards in a dystopian thriller based on Stephen King’s 1982 novel. The role required extensive physical work, including substantial running sequences and dangerous stunts.
The actor described one challenging sequence where he had to “abseil down eight storeys of a building in freezing conditions, half naked” while dealing with a harness that “cinched me – believe me nothing looked good!” He even discovered that one crew member’s sole responsibility was “to stop me kicking a window” throughout the nighttime shoot.
Powell expressed gratitude for having Cruise as a resource, noting “there’s probably only one person on the planet that can give this type of advice, and it’s him. So the fact that he’s one call away and he’s always willing to pick up, it’s unbelievable.”
Also Read:
Professional Impact and Industry Relationships
The professional relationship between Powell and Cruise began on the set of Top Gun: Maverick and has continued since. Powell isn’t the only actor Cruise has mentored – Rosamund Pike, who appeared on the same episode of The Graham Norton Show, shared that Cruise sent her an encouraging letter when she was nervous about filming Gone Girl.
Powell’s career has gained significant momentum since following Cruise’s advice. Beyond Top Gun: Maverick and The Running Man, he has starred in recent projects including Hit Man and Twisters, establishing himself as a leading man in Hollywood.
The Running Man was released in theaters on November 14, 2025, featuring Powell alongside actors including Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, and Michael Cera. The film is directed by Edgar Wright and presents a more faithful adaptation of Stephen King’s novel than the previous 1987 version starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Powell previously sought Schwarzenegger’s blessing before taking on the role, explaining “I didn’t want to tread on his legacy without speaking to him. He was lovely and gave me his blessing.”
Also Read: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Returns as a New Sequel Series on Hulu
Dear X Webtoon Gets 40 Times More Popular After HBO Max Drama Release
