Glen Powell Calls for More American Films, Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' Secret Revealed

Actor Glen Powell advocates for movies catering to underserved American audiences, while 'Top Gun: Maverick' producer shares Tom Cruise's hard-working ethic behind the film's success.

Emerging star Glen Powell has emerged as a vocal advocate for expanding American filmmaking beyond the coasts. Growing up in Texas and recently relocating to Austin, Powell believes vast regions of the country are neglected in terms of movie representation.

"Having grown up in and around Texas, I’m aware there are vast parts of America that have been underserved in terms of movies that they want to see," he told The Telegraph.

Glen Powell Calls for More American Films, Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' Secret Revealed

Powell's critique stems from the perceived dominance of New York and Los Angeles in determining movie content, overlooking the diverse tastes of audiences across the nation.

"You sort of have New York and Los Angeles making the decisions about what gets made, but there’s a whole lot more audience out there you need to think about."

Glen Powell Calls for More American Films, Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' Secret Revealed

Powell's decision to move back to Austin aligns with his desire to reconnect with his roots and pursue a degree at the University of Texas. He credits actor Matthew McConaughey for inspiring this move, who emphasized the transformative impact of leaving Hollywood's artificial environment.

"He’s like, ‘Hollywood is the Matrix, man. You plug in and it’s all fake world.’’ Powell continued, "He’s like, ‘Then I go to Austin, and I unplug. It’s all real. Those are my friends, that’s my family, my actions matter there.’ And he’s right.""

Glen Powell Calls for More American Films, Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' Secret Revealed

The blockbuster success of 'Top Gun: Maverick' has been attributed in part to the tireless efforts of its leading star, Tom Cruise. According to the film's producer, no one embodies hard work and dedication more than Cruise.

"Nobody works harder than Tom Cruise," the producer told Fox News Digital. "He's the first one on set and the last one to leave. He's constantly pushing himself and the people around him to be their best."

Glen Powell Calls for More American Films, Tom Cruise's 'Top Gun' Secret Revealed

Cruise's unwavering commitment to excellence has been a major factor in his long-standing success in the industry. His ability to step into iconic roles and deliver memorable performances has made him a beloved figure among audiences worldwide.

The producer also hinted at the possibility of a 'Top Gun' sequel, stating that discussions were underway but nothing had been officially confirmed.

"We're definitely talking about it," the producer said. "We're not sure if it's going to happen, but we're definitely talking about it."

Glen Powell has emerged as a champion for the romantic comedy genre, which had faced criticism for its perceived decline in popularity. Powell starred in the acclaimed 2023 rom-com "Anyone But You," which revitalized the genre and earned critical praise.

"One of the things that I’ve realized recently is that when studios say a genre is dead, all it means is that there’s a huge opportunity, because a market is not being served," Powell told the outlet.

"The business stopped making romantic comedies, apparently, because romantic comedies weren’t making any money in theatres. But my belief is there’s no problem facing Hollywood that can’t be solved by a really good movie."

Powell's belief in the power of compelling storytelling paid off, as "Anyone But You" grossed $220 million worldwide.

Glen Powell's star continues to rise, with several highly anticipated projects on the horizon. He will star in "Twisters," the sequel to the 1996 hit "Twister" that starred Helen Hunt and the late Bill Paxton.

Powell has emphasized that "Twisters" will focus on the human experience rather than serving as an environmental message.

"First and foremost, because if you’re telling people what to think, you’re not allowing them to feel. You can’t put people into that heightened state if they’re thinking, ‘Hmm, do I or do I not agree with this message?’" he said.

"Of course, you might want to have conversations about those other things later," Powell added, "but that’s not what our movie is about. It’s man and woman versus nature; finding out who we really are in the face of the storm."