Glen Powell has been dazzling Hollywood for over two decades, but it’s the past year that’s truly catapulted him into the spotlight as a leading man. With a slew of blockbuster hits and exciting upcoming projects, Powell is the name on everyone’s lips. This weekend, his latest film, “Twisters,” storms into theaters. His journey to stardom has been anything but overnight, making his rise all the more inspiring. Ready for a fun ride through Glen’s top roles and a sneak peek at what’s next? Buckle up and enjoy!
1. “Spy Kids 3: Game Over” (2003)
For all 2000s babies, “Spy Kids” was a cultural phenomenon. Powell made a small appearance in the For all 2000s babies, “Spy Kids” was a cultural phenomenon. Powell made a small appearance in the third film, “Spy Kids 3: Game Over,” playing the minor role of a character known as “Long-Fingered Boy.” The movie centers on the adventures of Carmen and Juni Cortez as they navigate a virtual reality video game to save the world. Powell’s role, though small, was part of the early stages of his acting career. He landed the role after auditioning for Robert Rodriguez, the film’s director. His casting in “Spy Kids 3” marked one of his first forays into the film industry, setting the stage for his subsequent rise to fame with more prominent roles in later years.
2. “Scream Queens” (2015-2016)
Moving ahead twelve years, Powell starred in “Scream Queens”. “Scream Queens” is a comedy-horror television series that premiered in 2015. It was canceled after two seasons but has become a cult classic. The show, created by television titan, Ryan Murphy, blends satire and horror as it follows the members of the Kappa Kappa Tau sorority at Wallace University, where a series of murders unfolds. The series stars A-listers such as: Emma Roberts, Ariana Grande, Jamie Lee Curtis, Keke Palmer, and John Stamos.
Glen Powell played the role of Chad Radwell, a wealthy and arrogant fraternity president of the Dickie Dollar Scholars. Chad is known for his superficial charm, comedic one-liners, and tumultuous relationship with the show’s lead, Chanel Oberlin, played by Emma Roberts. Powell’s performance as Chad Radwell was widely praised for its humor and charisma, contributing significantly to the show’s campy, over-the-top appeal.
3. “Everybody Wants Some!!” (2016)
“Everybody Wants Some!!” is a 2016 comedy film directed by Richard Linklater. Set in the 1980s, the movie follows a group of college baseball players as they navigate the freedoms and responsibilities of adulthood throughout a single weekend before the start of the academic year. The film is a spiritual sequel to Linklater’s “Dazed and Confused,” capturing the carefree and exploratory spirit of youth.
Glen Powell played the role of Finnegan, one of the baseball players. Finnegan is charismatic, philosophical, and often serves as the group’s unofficial leader, offering witty insights and guiding his teammates through various social interactions. Powell’s performance was praised for its charm and depth, helping to establish him as a standout actor in the ensemble cast.
4. “Hidden Figures” (2016)
“Hidden Figures” is a 2016 biographical drama directed by Theodore Melfi. The film tells the inspiring true story of three African American women mathematicians—Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer), and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe)—who worked at NASA and played crucial roles in the success of the early U.S. space program, particularly the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. “Hidden Figures” was a huge success garnering commercial and critical notice. The movie was nominated for three Academy Awards in 2017, including Best Picture.
Glen Powell played the role of John Glenn, the astronaut who became the first American to orbit the Earth. In the film, Glenn’s character is depicted as supportive and trusting of the work done by the women, particularly Katherine Johnson’s calculations, which were vital for his mission’s success. Powell’s portrayal of Glenn highlighted the astronaut’s charismatic and pioneering spirit.
5. “Sand Castle” (2017)
“Sand Castle” is a 2017 war drama film directed by Fernando Coimbra. The movie is set during the early years of the Iraq War and follows a young soldier, Private Matt Ocre (played by Nicholas Hoult), who is tasked with repairing a water pumping station in a dangerous Iraqi village. The film explores the challenges and moral complexities faced by soldiers in a war-torn environment.
Glen Powell plays Sergeant Dylan Chutsky, a confident and experienced soldier who is part of Ocre’s platoon. Chutsky serves as a mentor and leader, guiding the younger soldiers through the dangerous and often chaotic missions. Powell’s performance captures the resilience and camaraderie among the soldiers, contributing to the film’s gritty and realistic portrayal of military life during the Iraq War. “Sand Castle” is available to stream on Netflix.
6. “Set It Up” (2018)
“Set It Up” is a 2018 romantic comedy directed by Claire Scanlon. The story follows two overworked and underappreciated assistants, Harper (Zoey Deutch) and Charlie (Glen Powell), who team up to set up their demanding bosses in a bid to make their own lives easier. As they plot to bring their bosses together, Harper and Charlie develop a close bond and eventually start to fall for each other.
Glen Powell’s character, Charlie Young, is ambitious and hardworking but frustrated with his lack of career progress. His comedic timing and chemistry with Zoey Deutch’s character were highly praised, making “Set It Up” a charming and enjoyable film that showcases Powell’s talent in romantic comedies. “Set It Up” is streaming on Netflix.
7. “Top Gun: Maverick” (2022)
Skipping ahead a few years, Powell acted in the 2022 phenomenon, “Top Gun: Maverick”. After a few quiet years of acting, Powell considered leaving Hollywood. In 2018, Powell initially auditioned for the role of Rooster, which ultimately went to Miles Teller. However, his impressive audition caught the attention of Tom Cruise, leading him to create the role of Hangman specifically for him. Powell’s charismatic performance and strong screen presence made Hangman one of the standout characters in the film.
“Top Gun: Maverick” is a 2022 action drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski. It’s a sequel to the 1986 classic “Top Gun” and follows Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise), who, after more than 30 years of service, is now training a new generation of elite fighter pilots. Maverick faces the challenges of modern aerial combat and his past while mentoring the young aviators. While a small part, this role brought Powell larger success and connected him with legend, Tom Cruise.
8. “Devotion” (2022)
“Devotion” is a 2022 war drama film directed by J.D. Dillard, based on the true story of two elite U.S. Navy fighter pilots during the Korean War. The film highlights the bond between the pilots as they navigate the challenges of war and personal struggles. It also brought Powell back into the pilot seat after “Top Gun: Maverick”.
Glen Powell plays Lt. Tom Hudner, a dedicated and skilled pilot who forms a close friendship with Jesse Brown, the first Black aviator in U.S. Navy history, played by Jonathan Majors. Hudner’s loyalty and bravery are central to the story, especially as he stands by Brown in the face of adversity. Powell’s portrayal of Hudner captures the heroism and deep camaraderie between the two pilots, adding a poignant depth to the film. While a box office bomb, it brought Powell more screen time in theaters and caught the attention of famous directors.
9. “Anyone But You” (2023)
“Anybody But You” is a 2023 romantic comedy film directed by Max Barbakow. In the movie, Glen Powell plays the lead role of Jack, a charming and witty guy who finds himself in a complicated love triangle. His performance in this film was praised for its charisma and comedic timing, showcasing his ability to anchor a romantic comedy.
This role was pivotal for Glen Powell’s career as it highlighted his talent in a genre that resonates with a wide audience. Romantic comedies often serve as a springboard for actors, allowing them to showcase both their comedic chops and romantic appeal. Powell’s portrayal of Jack in “Anybody But You” helped solidify his presence in Hollywood, showcasing him as a leading man capable of carrying a romantic storyline with humor and charm.
Moreover, the box office success of the film and positive reception to Powell’s performance contributed to his rising profile in the industry. It has opened doors to more prominent roles and opportunities in subsequent projects, allowing him to further establish himself as a versatile and sought-after actor in Hollywood. Powell and co-star Sydney Sweeney have expressed interest in a sequel.
10. “Hit Man” (2024)
“Hit Man” reunited Powell with his “Everybody Wants Some!!” director, Richard Linklater. Powell wrote the screenplay along with Linklater that was based on an article in the Texas Monthly in 2001. The movie follows an undercover New Orleans police contractor who masquerades as a trustworthy hitman while attempting to rescue a woman in distress. This premise is inspired by the true story of a college professor who worked as a fake hitman for the Houston police in the late 1980s and 1990s, as detailed in a 2001 magazine article by Skip Hollandsworth. Powell plays Gary Johnson who was the real life professor/hit man. He died in 2022 before the movie’s release.
The film received widespread critical acclaim and was bought by Netflix after premiering at the festival circuit. Reviews of “Hit Man” praised Powell’s charismatic portrayal, noting his ability to bring a fresh and entertaining spin to the assassin archetype. Critics highlighted his comedic timing and chemistry with co-stars, which contributed to the film’s appeal. Powell’s involvement in “Hit Man” further solidified his reputation as a leading actor in action-comedy genres, attracting positive attention and expanding his fan base. “Hit Man” is streaming on Netflix.
11. “Twisters” (2024)
All of this brings us to his current film, “Twisters.” After an interview on NBC’s “Hoda & Jenna” for the movie “Devotion,” he caught the attention of director Lee Isaac Chung. The new “Twisters” movie, a sequel to the 1996 disaster film “Twister,” aims to capture the thrilling essence of storm chasing with advanced visual effects and a fresh storyline. Powell portrays Tyler Owens, a famous internet storm chaser. Audiences love “Twisters” with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score. The movie is expected to take the Box Office crown this upcoming weekend with a possible 50 million dollar opening. This further intensifies Glen Powell as a force to be reckon with in Hollywood. “Twisters” is in theaters now. Watch the trailer for the film below.
Glen Powell has steadily risen to prominence in Hollywood through a diverse range of roles that showcase his versatility and charm. Looking ahead, Powell’s future in Hollywood seems promising, especially with his lead role in the Hulu comedy series “Chad Powers.” The series follows Powell as Russ Holiday, a Quarterback who is canceled for his bad behavior. He then disguises himself as Chad Powers as he walks on a struggling Southern football team.
This new television project offers him an opportunity to showcase his range as an actor in a different format, potentially attracting a broader audience and further establishing his career. With a track record of diverse roles and strong performances, Powell appears poised for continued success, solidifying his place as a rising star in the industry. We are excited to see what he does next!
