12 Years Before Top Gun: Maverick, Glen Powell’s Career Hit Rock Bottom Due to a Tragedy But His One Brilliant Trick Came to the Rescue
From being a name many people had not heard of to now becoming one of the most-desired leading man in movies, Glen Powell has had a tremendous career trajectory. His recent roles in movies like Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You have garnered him international fame.
With his suave attitude and a heartening smile, Powell has made his way into the hearts of fans as well as producers who can’t wait to cast him in their next project. He was always a charming actor made for romantic comedies, but Anyone But You proved that he could also rake up high box office numbers and ensure the success of his movies.
Glen Powell was heartbroken over his agent Ed Limato’s death
Glen Powell’s entry into Hollywood was no flake of luck. The agent who represented the likes of Richard Gere, Ed Limato, saw the flame in him that was eager for more. Limato took Powell on as a client and tried to find roles for him when the actor was struggling to find projects he liked. Powell was glad to find someone who believed in him and encouraged him to do better. He felt like he was discovered as a gem in a sea of rocks and Limato would be his ticket to success.
However, after a brief illness in 2010, Limato tragically passed away. This incident left Powell heartbroken and shaken for the worse. In the time leading up to it, the Expendables 3 actor already felt like he was letting Limato down because he wasn’t able to get good roles in movies. After his death, Powell felt like he lost the only one who ever saw the potential in him. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Powell said,
That was my lifeline, the guy who believed in me, and because he stood out in front of me, everyone in town would be like, ‘Ed’s rarely wrong, maybe there’s something we’re not seeing.’ And it was almost like once he passed away, the jig was up.
Ultimately, Powell realized that he had to make things happen for him if he wished to succeed in this competitive industry. He started writing scripts and ideating concepts for movies that he eventually sold to production houses. The actor turned into a writer to get his creative juices flowing. Once he established his name in some of the top production houses, acting gigs also started pouring in for Powell who first landed Expendables 3, and then more projects like Hidden Figures and Everybody Wants Some!!
How Glen Powell landed Top Gun: Maverick
Powell has always looked up to Tom Cruise and his enigmatic career. Cruise has been his inspiration and mentor along the way too. So, when an opportunity arose to be in the same film as Cruise, Powell couldn’t let it slip away. Even though the audition was for Goose’s son Rooster, Powell landed another role in the movie, although he did not initially like the character.
Powell rejected the role since he didn’t connect with it. However, Cruise called him in for a chat and explained that not all roles offered to him would be the greatest. It was Powell’s job as an actor to find greatness in every role. Such words of wisdom allowed Powell to readjust his perspective and accept the role that would change his life.
The makers of the movie took some notes from Powell on how to better his character, Hangman, and eventually got him on board for the role. Top Gun: Maverick became the turning point in his career, propelling him to newer heights.
