Movies

New Stephen King Movie Proves Glen Powell, 36, Is Tom Cruise’s True Heir

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For many years, Tom Cruise has dominated the action movie industry. His breakthrough role as an action hero was in 1986’s action-drama “Top Gun,” where he portrayed Maverick. Since then, he has cemented his status as an action star by performing his own daring stunts.

Four years following his “Top Gun” premiere, Cruise took on another significant action movie with the racing-themed film “Days of Thunder.” The latter part of the ’90s marked the commencement of his “Mission: Impossible” series, a franchise that would eventually become a major pillar of his career.

Impossible” and “Top Gun” series, both starring Tom Cruise, have come to an end. Since Tom is 63 now, it’s time for a new, younger actor to take over these action roles. A recent trailer suggests that Hollywood might have found the ideal candidate for this replacement.

Glen Powell Is Mastering An Iconic Part Of Tom Cruise Movies

It Is One Of Cruise’s Hallmarks

Previously, Actor Glen Powell collaborated with Cruise in the movie “Top Gun: Maverick”, marking one of his notable breakthrough performances. Since then, he has been the main star in films such as “Twisters”, “Anyone But You”, and “Hit Man”.

This year, Powell’s most notable movie is titled “The Running Man“, which is a modern retelling of Stephen King‘s 1982 novel bearing the same name. The film, set in a dystopian society, follows the storyline of a man named Ben Richards, who chooses to participate in a deadly game show where he must outlive for 30 days as contestants are tasked with hunting him down.

The initial trailer for “The Running Man” was recently unveiled, depicting Powell participating in one of Tom Cruise’s iconic screen activities: sprinting. Known to be a hallmark of his action character, Tom Cruise’s running style has been a recurring feature in the Mission: Impossible series and is now synonymous with him. Particular attention has been given to his running posture and technique.

Currently, Powell isn’t just participating in running events, but a whole movie titled “The Running Man” revolves around his running prowess. This connection between Powell and the film will strengthen the comparison to Cruise even more, as similarities have already been drawn.

The Running Man Will Further Prove Powell’s Action Movie Chops

Powell Has Already Been In Some Action Films

I must clarify that “The Running Man” doesn’t serve as a blueprint for a Tom Cruise-like movie. Instead, the Mission: Impossible series has significantly elevated action cinema, pushing the boundaries with intricate and grandiose stunt sequences. However, the upcoming adaptation of “The King” by Powell won’t feature stunts on that same colossal scale.

Nonetheless, ‘The Running Man’ will undeniably strengthen Powell’s image as an action hero. With ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Twisters’, he has already demonstrated a penchant for action throughout his career. In ‘The Running Man’, he will assume the lead role again, providing him with an opportunity to fully display his acting prowess.

If The Running Man Is A Hit, It’ll Cement Glen Powell As A Movie Star

But It’s Not A Sure-Fire Success

The movie ‘The Running Man’ could potentially be successful at the box office, but it may not be an absolute guaranteed success. Director Edgar Wright is quite skilled, but he’s not the type to attract crowds solely based on his name.

The connection to the king in this movie might boost its prospects more than other factors, but it’s not a guarantee of box office success. For instance, films such as “The Monkey” have thrived, whereas “The Life of Chuck” has had limited viewership. King will feature in promotional efforts, but he won’t necessarily be the primary drawcard.

In this scenario, it is Powell who could be the main attraction for The Running Man, given his growing fame and reputation as an action star in today’s film industry. If successful, his performance would solidify his position among the top tier of action stars. While being a traditional movie star may be challenging in 2025, Powell has the potential to come closest if he consistently delivers critically acclaimed films.

Top Gun 3 Should Fully Make Glen Powell Into Tom Cruise’s Replacement

And It Would Be The Perfect Moment To Formalize This

In the potential scenario, “The Running Man” could establish Powell as a genuine action star. However, it’s the anticipated third installment of “Top Gun” that would truly demonstrate him as an ideal replacement for Tom Cruise. The storyline has Powell reprising his beloved character, Hangman, alongside other cast members in this sequel.

According to Director Joseph Kosinski, there’s a strong indication that Top Gun 3 might mark Tom Cruise’s final appearance as Maverick. If the series were to persist, it would require a new main character, and Miles Teller seems ideally suited for the role. His athleticism and action movie prowess mirror Cruise’s traits. In this scenario, Top Gun 3 could serve as an elegant transition of the role from one actor to another.

A more straightforward and natural way of expressing this could be: “The best way to show that Powell is like Cruise is by casting him in ‘Top Gun 3’. However, before that happens, it’s essential to establish Powell as an action star first, which can be done through the movie ‘The Running Man’.

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2025-07-06 18:08

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