JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
Oct 1, 2024
Table of Contents
Glen Powell‘s rise to stardom has been a long and steady journey, filled with hard work, determination, and a diverse range of roles that have slowly but surely earned him the spotlight he now commands. With standout roles in films like 2022’s ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Devotion’, Powell has proven his versatility, seamlessly transitioning between charismatic heartthrob and emotionally complex characters. Despite a long career in supporting roles and smaller projects, his performances are now gaining critical acclaim and widespread attention. Powell‘s career has been years in the making and his recent successes highlight not just his talent, but his ability to captivate audiences, positioning him as one of the most promising leading men in the industry today.
Glen Powell‘s journey in Hollywood has been marked by persistence and a passion for acting that began in his childhood. At just 15 years old, he made his first on-screen appearance in ‘Spy Kids 3: Game Over’ (2003), playing a small role as Long-fingered Boy. In the years that followed, Powell took on numerous supporting roles in various projects, showcasing his talent but often under bigger stars’ shadows. Despite his undeniable talent, these roles, while noteworthy, did not yet take him into the leading-man territory. His early credits include ‘Jack & Bobby’ (2004-2005), ‘The Great Debaters’ (2007), ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012), and ‘The Expendables 3’ (2014), among others.
A major turning point for Powell came when he portrayed Chad Radwell in ‘Scream Queens’ (2015-2016), a role that earned him significant recognition, particularly among younger audiences. His persistence paid off when he landed a leading role in the Netflix romantic comedy ‘Set It Up’ (2018), starring alongside Zoey Deutch. Powell’s portrayal of Charlie in ‘Set It Up’ helped expand his fanbase and showcased his ability to carry a film. Prior to this breakthrough, he also appeared in significant projects like ‘The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society’ (2018) and the critically acclaimed ‘Hidden Figures’ (2016). These roles set him up for even bigger opportunities in Hollywood.
‘Top Gun: Maverick’ (2022) marked a significant turning point in Glen Powell’s career. He took on the role of Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin, a cocky, self-assured pilot whose confidence and bravado mirrored Tom Cruise’s iconic Maverick from the original film. Powell‘s portrayal of Hangman is a perfect balance between arrogance and charm, infusing the character with depth and nuance that elevated him beyond a typical “bad guy”. His performance made Hangman not only the antagonist but also a fan favorite. The film’s massive box office success further amplified Powell‘s rise, positioning him as one of Hollywood’s emerging leading men.
Following the success of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, Powell continued to prove his versatility with ‘Devotion’ (2022), a war drama where he portrayed real-life fighter pilot Tom Hudner. Starring opposite Jonathan Majors, Powell was able to showcase his ability to balance action-packed sequences with heartfelt moments, displaying his range and ability to handle complex characters.
Glen Powell has quickly become a standout figure in the realm of romantic comedies, thanks to his undeniable charm, quick wit, and on-screen charisma. His first major romantic lead came in 2018’s ‘Set It Up’, where he played Charlie, a driven yet overworked assistant trying to balance career and love. The film’s success was largely due to Powell’s effortless chemistry with Zoey Deutch and its sharp, clever writing. Powell‘s ability to infuse Charlie with humor, vulnerability, and magnetic energy not only made audiences fall in love with the character but also elevated ‘Set It Up’ to one of the best rom-coms of the 2010s. His performance as Charlie redefined the modern rom-com leading man archetype, making him a fan favorite.
Following the success of ‘Set It Up’, Powell was cast in ‘Anyone But You’ (2023), where he played Ben, a hedge fund bro with a surprising heart of gold, opposite Sydney Sweeney’s character, Bea. Powell and Sweeney’s electric chemistry was the driving force behind the film, and his excellent delivery of both comedic timing and emotional depth solidified his place in the genre. ‘Anyone But You’ was not only a massive box office success but also marked a resurgence of romantic comedies in theaters, with Powell’s performance widely praised for carrying much of the film’s charm and appeal.
During the press tour for ‘Anyone But You’, both Powell and Sweeney expressed interest in working together again in another rom-com, sparking hope for more collaborations. With his natural ability to balance humor and emotion, Powell is poised to become one of the most beloved leading men in romantic comedies. Fans are eagerly awaiting his return into the genre, as his presence has already left a lasting impact on modern rom-coms.
Most recent
Not far from his work in romantic comedies, Glen Powell dives into the action-packed world of the love story/disaster genre with ‘Twisters’ (2024), starring alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones. As a stand-alone sequel to Jan de Bont’s ‘Twister’ (1996), ‘Twisters’ sees Powell take on the role of Tyler, a reckless storm chaser who initially rivals Edgar-Jones’ character, Kate, a retired storm chaser. However, as they unite to face the storms, sparks fly between the two, adding a romantic layer to the high-stakes narrative. Powell brings his signature charisma to the role, perfectly balancing Tyler’s arrogance and bravado with undeniable charm. His portrayal of the daring storm chaser quickly made Tyler a fan favorite, with audiences praising Powell’s ability to elevate a character who could have been purely reckless into someone likable and multifaceted. His chemistry with Edgar-Jones adds depth to the film, blending romance with disaster in a way that makes ‘Twisters’ not just a thrilling ride, but a compelling love story as well.
As Hollywood’s new leading man, Powell is proving that he has the versatility and star power to carry films across genres, making him a standout in today’s cinematic landscape. Whether it’s an action packed film, a character-driven drama, or a romantic comedy; Powell has shown that he’s ready to take on whatever Hollywood throws his way. His rise may have been gradual, but Glen Powell is now undeniably a blockbuster king in the making.
Click here to read The Hollywood Insider’s CEO Pritan Ambroase’s love letter to Cinema, TV and Media. An excerpt from the love letter: The Hollywood Insider’s CEO/editor-in-chief Pritan Ambroase affirms, “We have the space and time for all your stories, no matter who/what/where you are. Media/Cinema/TV have a responsibility to better the world and The Hollywood Insider will continue to do so. Talent, diversity and authenticity matter in Cinema/TV, media and storytelling. In fact, I reckon that we should announce “talent-diversity-authenticity-storytelling-Cinema-Oscars-Academy-Awards” as synonyms of each other. We show respect to talent and stories regardless of their skin color, race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, etc., thus allowing authenticity into this system just by something as simple as accepting and showing respect to the human species’ factual diversity. We become greater just by respecting and appreciating talent in all its shapes, sizes, and forms. Award winners, which includes nominees, must be chosen on the greatness of their talent ALONE.
I am sure I am speaking for a multitude of Cinema lovers all over the world when I speak of the following sentiments that this medium of art has blessed me with. Cinema taught me about our world, at times in English and at times through the beautiful one-inch bar of subtitles. I learned from the stories in the global movies that we are all alike across all borders. Remember that one of the best symbols of many great civilizations and their prosperity has been the art they have left behind. This art can be in the form of paintings, sculptures, architecture, writings, inventions, etc. For our modern society, Cinema happens to be one of them. Cinema is more than just a form of entertainment, it is an integral part of society. I love the world uniting, be it for Cinema, TV, media, art, fashion, sport, etc. Please keep this going full speed.”
JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
JuliaMaia is a writer and filmmaker originally from Brazil. She grew up watching every piece of television and film she encountered from all over the world, which inspired her to come to Los Angeles to study film. She always knew that in order to be happy and fulfilled she had to be surrounded by art. She is always in search of the next film, show or performance that will inspire her. Her background in filmmaking helps her appreciate the technical elements of a film, as well as relish the journey of each story being told. There is not a topic Maia enjoys talking about more than film and the film industry and how it impacts the world and vice versa. The Hollywood Insider is the perfect platform for Maia to participate in the discourse about anything film related with many that , much like herself, love to take part in real important conversations and deeply appreciate the art of telling stories.
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