Glen Powell, known for his role in The Running Man, is gaining attention as a rising action star in Hollywood, but he has firmly denied any plans to take on a superhero role. Although many fans speculate about him joining the Marvel or DC universes, Powell confirms that playing a superhero is not a path he intends to pursue.
Exploring New Creative Directions in Comedy
Currently, Powell stars in the football comedy series Chad Powers, which he co-created alongside Michael Waldron, writer for Avengers: Doomsday. The series centers on a former football player who uses prosthetics and a disguised identity to return to the sport. Powell explains that this story resembles the transformation arcs typical of comic book heroes.
Michael Waldron and I created Chad Powers, and we always conceptualized that as a superhero story,
Powell told Collider.
There’s very much a Batman/Bruce Wayne thing going on there. There’s the super version of you and then there’s sort of the version that you can kind of hide from the world.
Appreciating Superhero Themes Without Joining the Genre
While Powell admires elements of superhero tales, especially the concept of secret identities and hidden selves, he doesn’t feel drawn to embodying a superhero himself. He values the storytelling but feels disconnected from the persona of being “super.”
I love the duality of superhero stories. I love the idea of secret identities. I love all that, but I can’t say that there’s one superhero in particular I’m chasing,
he admitted.
Look, the thing about superhero stories that I’ve always loved is it’s like the early days of something, building something.
I don’t feel, as a person, like a superhero. Once someone becomes super, I sort of kind of tend to no longer feel, I don’t know, the same emotional connection.
Potential but Uncertain Superhero Opportunities
Though Michael Waldron suggested Powell would be a great fit for Richard Rider, also known as Nova from Marvel’s Nova Corps, those prospects remain on hold. As a result, Powell prefers focusing on roles that allow him to showcase versatility rather than committing to the superhero genre.
Upcoming Projects and Fan Expectations
Fans eager to see Powell in action can look forward to his performance in The Running Man, which is scheduled for release on November 14. This project highlights his abilities beyond any superhero expectations and solidifies his place as a strong leading figure in action cinema.
