Before filming his latest project, RUNNING MAN, Glen Powell received extensive advice from Tom Cruise about excelling in action films. This guidance, rooted in decades of experience, helped Powell prepare physically and mentally for intense stunt work, highlighting the challenges and risks involved in this demanding genre.
How Tom Cruise Mentored Glen Powell for Action Roles
Tom Cruise reached out to Glen Powell in a phone conversation that lasted far longer than expected, offering crucial insights into surviving and thriving during action scenes. Powell recalled that what was initially meant to be a brief chat extended into two and a half hours filled with practical advice on stunt safety and realism.
Tom rang me to give me the low down, and what I thought would be a 10-minute call, lasted two and a half hours – basically told me how not to die!
Glen Powell said when describing Cruise’s guidance.
He also gave me running lessons. He said, ‘You should film yourself running because you don’t look as cool as you think you do.’ He was so right.
Cruise and Powell first collaborated on TOP GUN: MAVERICK, where Cruise took the initiative to mentor the younger actor. Their relationship has grown over time, with Powell adopting many of Cruise’s principles about commitment and discipline needed to perform demanding stunts.
Understanding the Physical Demands of Performing Stunts
Powell explained that Cruise made it very clear how essential it is to prepare the body rigorously for stunt work. The physical impact, according to Cruise, mirrors the real consequences of fighting or falling, requiring actors to be both strong and aware of the risks involved.
He was very clear about what that journey looks like. One was clearly stating that stunts are just as painful for the real thing,
Powell shared.
He’s like, you’ve got to really fortify your body because it’s like a normal fight – those physics are still the physics of what is actually happening. If you get slammed onto your back from a table, you’re going to feel that someone slammed you on the back from a table, and you’re going to do it 12 or 13 times. Right?
It was made very clear after talking to him that there was a real sense of discipline around these things, and to treat these stunts with reverence, because you can get extremely hurt, and he knows it better than anyone,
Powell added.
He’s broken every bone in his body. He’s like, this is not messing around.
Tom Cruise’s Commitment to Extreme Stunts
Cruise’s dedication to physically demanding stunts is well-known, particularly as he aims to push the boundaries of realism in each new film. For instance, in MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING, Cruise held his breath underwater for over ten minutes to film one of the most intense scenes, demonstrating his exceptional endurance and commitment.
We had a small screening and someone said, ‘I was suffocating throughout the entire sequence. I almost had a heart attack,
director Christopher McQuarrie recalled.
And I thought, ‘I guess we did something right.
Implications for Glen Powell’s Future in Action Cinema
Given the close mentorship from Cruise and Powell’s willingness to perform his own stunts, the actor appears poised to become a leading figure in Hollywood’s action genre. His evolving relationship with Cruise not only informs his performances but also positions him as a potential successor to Cruise’s legacy of high-risk, high-reward action roles.
