Glen Powells Leading Actor Career Is Already Different From Tom Cruises In One Big Way

As Glen Powell has become a bigger and bigger star, many have compared his rise to fame to that of movie megastar, Tom Cruise, yet Powell's recent career move proves that he can stand apart from his Top Gun co-star. Although Powell is best known for his performances in Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone but You, and Twisters, the actor's career first began way back in 2003 with the sequel, Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over. For many years, Powell went under the radar, taking on minor roles in increasingly popular movies until he finally entered the spotlight in the 2020s.

The connections between the careers of Powell and Cruise are minor, yet hold quite a lot of weight for some audiences. The comparisons likely began when the pair appeared together in Top Gun: Maverick, which is the movie that seriously pushed Powell into the limelight. From there, Powell's roles in action films and aviation movies gave him an even closer link to Cruise. Now, Powell denied he was taking over the Mission Impossible franchise from Cruise. In reality, Powell and Cruise have quite different careers, and more importantly, futures.

Glen Powell’s Chad Powers Show Means He Is Open To Do TV

What Powell's Move To TV Means

One especially notable difference between Powell and Cruise is that Powell is now moving to television. It was recently revealed that Powell is starring in a Hulu series entitled Chad Powers. In the titular role, Powell will play a quarterback who ruins his career after some bad behavior. In order to get back out on the field, he creates the alias Chad Powers and joins another struggling football team. The series is based on Eli Manning's own experience of secretly walking onto a college football tryout. Notably, Powell is not only starring but writing and producing the series.

Powell's move to television does not just set him apart from Cruise, but it signals a pivot in his career. In the last few years, Powell has appeared in a number of successful movies, each of which has boosted his career even higher. Now, his move to television will allow a wider streaming audience to get to know him. Furthermore, Chad Powers' connections to the NFL and the Mannings could give Powell even more attention. All in all, Powell's new TV show is a hint that he is becoming an established and popular actor.

Why Tom Cruise Has Never Done A TV Show (& Will He Ever?)

Cruise Doesn't Need Television (Yet)

A significant fact about Cruise is that he has never appeared on TV. In the age of streaming, countless movie stars have transitioned onto television, but Cruise has never done so, solely sticking to movies and franchises. In fact, the last few years have been somewhat slow for Cruise, as he has released only two movies in the last five years. Of course, this hasn't hurt Cruise in the least. After decades of major movie roles, Cruise is an unstoppable force in Hollywood, so arguably, he doesn't need a TV role to keep his career afloat. At least, not yet.

At this time, Cruise is deep into the Mission Impossible franchise, which is the main project keeping him in the limelight. Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is set to premiere in 2025, and the fact that it is the final installment will certainly make the movie even bigger. On top of that, Cruise is also set to star in an upcoming comedy drama called Judy. However, once these projects are complete, it may be a good time for Cruise to take on a fresh new role on the small screen.

Glen Powell Doesn’t Have To Be Labeled As The “Next Tom Cruise”

How Powell Differs From Cruise

Although Powell is likely flattered by audiences' comparisons between him and Cruise, it is better for the actor to pave his own way rather than follow in the footsteps of an established movie star. Cruise has clearly made a fantastic career for himself, but it has already been done. For Powell to remain relevant, he cannot cling to Cruise's coattails, but must distinguish himself. In many ways, Powell has already done this. His foray into TV and his appearance in rom-coms shows that he isn't necessarily the dashing action star that Cruise is.

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Beyond acting, Powell also has a different style than Cruise. As a newer star, Powell has avoided the personal drama that Cruise has been bogged by. Furthermore, Powell has a goofier and more relatable personality than Cruise, who often seems unreachable among the Hollywood elite. In the future, it would be best for Glen Powell to hold on tight to what makes him special and leave behind the label of "the next Tom Cruise."