Glen Powell Was Asked About Being The Next Tom Cruise, And He Was Not Having It

by

Glen Powell is quickly becoming a major star. After solidifying his place in action films with The Running Man and receiving a 2026 Golden Globe nomination for Chad Powers, the actor is now a familiar face to many. He recently shared his thoughts on being compared to Tom Cruise, his co-star in Top Gun: Maverick, and made it clear he doesn’t think the comparison is accurate.

Before landing his breakout role in Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell had been building his career with supporting parts in films like Everybody Wants Some and The Dark Knight Rises, and leading roles in smaller, popular movies such as Set It Up. Though he initially didn’t get the part of “Rooster” in the Top Gun sequel, Tom Cruise specifically requested that Powell play “Hangman.” Now, Maverick has significantly boosted Powell’s career, and fans owe a debt to Cruise for recognizing his co-star’s potential.

So, are these two actors actually the same person? After being called “the next Tom Cruise,” Powell recently discussed the comparison with Deadline at the Golden Globes, and he raises a good point.

There’s truly no one like Tom Cruise, and trying to follow in his career path would be a dead end. But I’m incredibly lucky to have him as a friend and mentor. Even though he’s one of the busiest people in Hollywood, he’s remarkably present and always there for you. I’m so grateful for our friendship.

Look, it’s tempting to compare any rising star to the greats, but let’s be honest: there’s only one Tom Cruise, just like there’s only one Arnold, one Bruce Willis, or one Keanu. They all have that unique something. I’ve noticed with Powell, there are definitely echoes of Cruise – especially when he talks about practical effects and doing your own stunts, it really reminds me of Risky Business. And his focus on making films for the audience? Very Tom Cruise. But ultimately, while Powell clearly admires Cruise, he’s forging his own path, and that’s what makes him exciting to watch. They’re both box office draws, but they get there in their own distinct ways.

The actor from Twister is fortunate to have Tom Cruise as both a friend and mentor. Cruise immediately advised him to adopt a mindset of being the underdog, which greatly helped him shine in the highly anticipated sequel, bringing a similar energy to the role as Val Kilmer did as “Iceman.”

Tom Cruise has become a go-to mentor for Glen Powell. Powell shared that Cruise gave him advice on staying safe while filming the action movie The Running Man, and was the first person he called for guidance on using prosthetics for his role as Chad Powers. It’s clear Cruise, known for films like Jerry Maguire and Mission: Impossible, consistently supports Powell and helps him deliver compelling performances.

People are already noticing similarities between Glen Powell and Tom Cruise, but Powell isn’t aiming to take over the Mission: Impossible franchise. He’s focused on building his own career while still admiring Cruise as a role model and friend, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them work together again someday.

You can watch the rising star in Top Gun: Maverick and The Running Man with a Paramount+ subscription.

Read More

2026-01-18 17:08