8 Movies You Forgot (or Didn’t Know) Glen Powell Starred In

You can’t spend a moment online without encountering content about Glen Powell. This summer, it’s not just Ken in the spotlight; “Glenergy” is making waves too.

Powell catapulted to fame with his portrayal of the cocky pilot Hangman in “Top Gun: Maverick.” But it’s “Twisters” that’s turned him into the sensation he is today.

These days, Powell rubs elbows with Tom Cruise, his dog Brisket boasts a following that outshines many B-list actors, and he’s mentioned in over 167.5 million TikTok posts.

What was Powell up to before skyrocketing to Hollywood fame? Surprisingly, he’s been acting since he was 15. Here are 8 movies you might have forgotten — or never knew — featured Glen Powell.

1. ‘Hidden Figures’ (2016)

In “Hidden Figures,” Glen Powell played astronaut John Glenn, who takes the time to get to know the women in the West Area. After seeing a rough cut of the movie, Powell recalled feeling nauseous with fear, thinking he’d ruined the film. He shared this experience on the podcast “Therapuss with Jake Shane.”

“I remember watching ‘Hidden Figures’ for the first time on the Fox lot,” Powell said. “I literally left the movie and I puked in the bushes. I worried that I had ruined the movie for all the incredible women involved. We all want to service something greater, especially when it’s a real-life story.”

Where to watch: Disney+

2. ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ (2018)

In this film, Powell plays Mark Reynolds, an American publisher who courts writer Juliet (Lily James), thinking she’s his perfect match. Powell noted in an interview with “HeyUGuys” how beloved the movie is, especially among his mother’s friends. He described it as a special film highlighting an era of history that many aren’t familiar with.

Where to watch: Netflix

3. ‘Devotion’ (2022)

Following his role in “Top Gun: Maverick,” Powell returned to playing a pilot. Before taking on the role, he sought Tom Cruise’s blessing. Powell recalled telling Cruise, “I already have a naval aviation movie that’s really close to my heart,” to which Cruise responded, “There’s room for two. You can do ‘Top Gun,’ you can do ‘Devotion.’”

Where to watch: Paramount+

4. ‘Set It Up’ (2018)

Powell has played various roles, from pilots to astronauts to romantic leads. “Set It Up” was his first romantic comedy role, and it garnered him instant fans. Powell is regarded as a natural fit for rom-coms. Fans are urging him to take on more roles in this genre, ideally alongside Zoey Deutch. Refinery29 even compared their chemistry to iconic duos like Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan.

Where to watch: Netflix

5. ‘Red Wing’ (2013)

In “Red Wing,” Powell starred alongside Bill Paxton, the original “Twister” star. Powell shared that he applied some of Paxton’s advice while filming “Twisters.” On “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Powell fondly remembered a trick Paxton taught him for handling outdoor shoots. Each time Powell used that trick, he thought of Paxton, who passed away in 2017 from a stroke at age 61. Powell wrote a heartfelt tribute to Paxton, calling him a “great friend” and acknowledging the immense legacy he left behind.

Where to watch: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video

6. ‘Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over’ (2003)

At just 15, Powell secured his first acting role as Long-fingered Boy in “Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over.” Although his part was minor, it ignited his love for film. Powell remembers auditioning for other roles but ultimately landing the part that changed his life. The movie featured a star-studded cast, including George Clooney, Sylvester Stallone, and Salma Hayek, among others.

Where to watch: Max

7. ‘Apollo 10 1/2: A Space Age Childhood’ (2022)

In this animated feature, Powell’s likeness is used for the character Bostick, a NASA official recruiting a 10-year-old for the “Apollo 10 1/2” mission. Director Richard Linklater humorously pitched the role to Powell, mentioning it would be fun since Powell had already played an astronaut.

Where to watch: Netflix

8. ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)

Powell appears briefly as a stockbroker in “The Dark Knight Rises,” but the experience left an impact. During filming, Tom Hardy accidentally slammed Powell’s head into a keyboard, leading director Chris Nolan to jokingly ask if Powell could do it again, before sending him to see the medic.

Where to watch: Max

Source: Various