Glen Powell, best known for his role alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, has addressed the speculation surrounding his potential to step into Cruise’s shoes in the Mission: Impossible franchise.
Powell, who has gained recognition for performing daring stunts, laughed off the idea during a recent interview, humorously attributing his reluctance to his mother’s disapproval.
In a light-hearted conversation with ESPN’s Pat McAfee, Powell responded to the rumors, saying, “My mom would never let me do that. It’s the worst gig in town, everybody knows that. It’s a death trap.”
Powell’s remarks highlight the extreme risks that Cruise has willingly taken on, from hanging off airplanes to driving motorcycles off cliffs, feats that have become synonymous with his portrayal of Ethan Hunt.
The Mission: Impossible franchise, which has set the gold standard for high-octane stunts since its 1996 debut, continues with Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, set to release on May 23, 2025. While it remains unconfirmed if this will be Cruise’s final appearance as Hunt, his departure would leave a formidable gap for any successor.
Powell, currently involved in major projects, including a lead role in Edgar Wright’s adaptation of The Running Man, has established himself as a rising star in action cinema. His candid comments reflect the high regard for Cruise’s commitment to his stunts and the challenges of maintaining the physically demanding role.
Whether Powell will eventually pursue a role in Mission: Impossible or another major franchise remains uncertain. However, his remarks underscore the admiration—and caution—shared by many in the industry regarding the iconic, stunt-heavy legacy Cruise has built as Ethan Hunt.
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