Tom Cruise inspired Glen Powell’s solo skydiving stunt during the filming of Top Gun: Maverick, leading to a harrowing and unforgettable experience for Powell in London. As one of Hollywood’s most daring actors, Cruise’s high standards pushed his co-star to take a dangerous leap in an attempt to prove himself.
Setting Out to Impress Hollywood’s Acclaimed Daredevil
Glen Powell, known for his roles in major productions like Hitman and Top Gun: Maverick, was determined to go the extra mile for his co-star Tom Cruise, a celebrated figure in action films. With Cruise’s reputation for performing his own intense stunts and seeking out adrenaline-fueled challenges, Powell felt the need to step up during reshoots in London. Instead of merely matching Cruise’s meticulous approach to scenes, Powell pursued something far more extreme.
While discussing skydiving during the shooting period, Powell was surprised when Cruise personally arranged a helicopter for him, setting the bar for risk even higher.
“He sends a helicopter for me,”
—Glen Powell, Actor
Though weather conditions cancelled the first skydive attempt, the opportunity resurfaced weeks later. This time, Cruise presented an unexpected challenge: Powell would not be allowed to skydive with an instructor or partner for his first descent.
“And when I got there… I found out that Tom’s only request is that Glen cannot go skydiving with another person,”
—Glen Powell, Actor
“He has to go solo the first time.”
—Glen Powell, Actor
Reluctantly, Powell accepted the gauntlet thrown by Cruise. The star’s insistence on solo skydiving not only raised the stakes for Powell but also set the stage for an unforgettable feat that would test his nerves and resolve.
Powell’s Skydiving Attempt Nearly Ends in Disaster
Encouraged by Cruise, Powell prepared himself for the solo jump, but the anticipation soon gave way to panic when things started going awry during the skydive. As he plunged from the aircraft with no partner by his side, he realized he could not locate the parachute release tab.
“So, I literally have to jump out of this plane by myself,”
—Glen Powell, Actor
“But the worst part is that I couldn’t find my tab when I was falling.”
—Glen Powell, Actor
The terrifying sequence played out as Powell’s worst fears materialized in real time. As the ground raced toward him, he was struck by anxiety not just for his own safety, but also for how Cruise would react if tragedy struck.
“It’s the nightmare that everybody talks about,”
—Glen Powell, Actor
“But my first thought, which is not like a selfless thought,
“Oh, Tom just killed me. He’s going to feel so bad.”
— I was like,
“God, he pushed me to do this thing.”
—Glen Powell, Actor
Powell’s internal struggle was compounded by self-doubt, as he questioned why he had agreed to undertake something so perilous, seemingly just to impress a fellow actor with legendary status for his own daring stunts.
“You’re not Tom Cruise. You’ll never be Tom Cruise. Why did you do this?”
—Glen Powell, Actor
Fortunately, survival instincts took over in the final moments. Powell made a second attempt to pull the tab, ultimately deploying his parachute, albeit much lower than safety guidelines recommend as he later recalled.
Despite the overwhelming fear, Powell was energized by the thrill. The experience marked a turning point, leaving him both shaken and exhilarated enough to attempt the jump a second time.
The Significance of Powell’s Daring Stunt and Its Aftermath
Glen Powell’s near-disastrous solo skydiving attempt serves as a vivid example of how the drive to impress industry icons like Tom Cruise can push actors to daunting extremes. Powell’s willingness to accept such a risky challenge highlights Cruise’s profound influence, not just as a star but as a role model for high-stakes performance. Meanwhile, the event reveals the immense pressures actors face to meet and exceed expectations set by Hollywood’s most celebrated figures.
Tom Cruise’s inspiration led Powell to face one of his greatest fears and almost cost him dearly, underscoring the fine line between admiration and recklessness. As Top Gun: Maverick continues to attract audiences via platforms like Paramount+ in the USA, the tale of Powell’s solo skydive remains a cautionary story about pushing personal boundaries in pursuit of approval and professional respect.
