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Glen Powell Shuts Down Rumors He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible: “Mom Would Never Let Me Do That”
Nov
Glen Powell is setting the record straight on rumors that he might replace Tom Cruise in the Mission: Impossible franchise. During a recent appearance on Pat McAfee‘s show, Powell addressed the speculation with humor and a bit of hesitation, making it clear he has no plans to take over as the franchise’s next lead. “My mom would never let me do that,” Powell joked, calling Mission: Impossible “the worst gig in town” and a “death trap,” a nod to the franchise’s intense, high-stakes stunts that Cruise famously performs himself.
Since his breakthrough as Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin in Top Gun: Maverick, Powell has been likened to Cruise. With his charismatic energy, rugged looks, and all-American appeal, Powell seems like a natural successor to Cruise’s legacy. In Maverick, he even plays the mentee of Cruise’s character, intensifying comparisons between the two stars. The pair became friends during filming, and Cruise even gifted Powell flying lessons, following up on his progress and eventually welcoming him to “the skies” after he earned his pilot’s license.
Despite the comparisons, Powell has been clear about not stepping into Cruise’s spy-thriller shoes. The Mission: Impossible series, which began in 1996, is famous for its jaw-dropping action scenes, many of which Cruise has performed himself, from scaling skyscrapers to hanging off airplanes. The upcoming Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning marks the eighth film in the franchise and possibly Cruise’s last as Ethan Hunt, though the “final” aspect of the title has yet to be officially clarified by Cruise or director Christopher McQuarrie.
While Powell’s friendship with Cruise has fueled some of these rumors, Powell remains focused on his own path. With recent roles in action and rom-com hits like Anyone But You and Top Gun: Maverick, he is carving out his own legacy. As Cruise once advised him during Maverick, Powell leaned into his character’s edge to “make the ending work” — a move that contributed to the film’s massive box office success.
So, while Powell’s charm and Cruise’s encouragement have made him a fan favorite, his mom’s reservations and his own playful reservations may mean he’s not diving into Mission: Impossible territory anytime soon.
