Tom Cruise’s Unexpected Role as Glen Powell’s Running Coach and Prosthetics Guru—And Why It Matters
Tom Cruise’s passion for running is legendary—he’s practically obsessed with it, arguably even more than Brad Pitt’s famous love for food or Sean Bean’s knack for dying on screen. So when Glen Powell needed some expert advice for his role in Edgar Wright’s upcoming film The Running Man, he knew exactly who to call. But here’s where it gets interesting: Cruise isn’t just a running fanatic; he’s also surprisingly knowledgeable about prosthetics and makeup, which came in handy when Powell was preparing to portray Chad Powers.
Powell’s character is expected to be on the move a lot, darting around with agility and speed. And if there’s one actor who has clocked more running miles in movies than almost anyone else, it’s Cruise. But it’s not just about running fast—it’s about making it look authentic and visually impressive on the big screen. Powell shared with Empire magazine, “Tom wasn’t FaceTiming me while I was on a treadmill or anything, but he did offer some fundamental tips to ensure my running appeared powerful and dynamic, so it actually felt fast.” For context, Cruise has reportedly reached speeds of up to 17 mph during his training, which is pretty remarkable for an actor.
Before Chad Powers hits Hulu, Powell opened up to The Hollywood Reporter about how Cruise’s wisdom extended beyond running. The production involved heavy prosthetics, and Cruise’s experience with makeup-heavy roles—like his iconic Les Grossman character in Tropic Thunder—proved invaluable. “Tom was incredibly helpful in steering us away from potential pitfalls with the prosthetics,” Powell explained. “He was my go-to person early on when we were figuring out how to make this work. I always lean on him as a resource because he’s played just about every type of character imaginable. When it came to the prosthetics, he really guided us to ensure the character felt real. If the audience doesn’t believe this is a genuine human being, the whole concept falls apart. So, we owe a big thanks to Tom for that.”
It’s genuinely inspiring to see how Cruise has taken Powell under his wing, offering support and mentorship whenever possible. But Powell is clear about his own path—there are no plans for him to step into Cruise’s shoes in the Top Gun franchise anytime soon. In fact, director Christopher McQuarrie mentioned back in June that he already has the perfect story lined up for a third Top Gun movie, so fans can breathe easy.
So, what do you think? Is Tom Cruise’s hands-on mentorship the secret ingredient behind Glen Powell’s rising star? Or do you believe Powell’s success is entirely his own? And here’s a provocative thought: Could Cruise’s intense involvement in every detail—from running form to prosthetics—be seen as overbearing, or is it exactly what modern actors need to thrive? Share your thoughts below—let’s get the conversation started!
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Favorite Films: 12 Angry Men, 2001: A Space Odyssey, All the President’s Men, Almost Famous, Annie Hall, Bicycle Thieves, Carnal Knowledge, Cinema Paradiso, Dick Tracy, Double Indemnity, Halloween, Harold and Maude, In Bruges, The Killing, Magnolia, Minnie and Moskowitz, Modern Times, Paris, Texas, Rosemary’s Baby, Taxi Driver
Interests: Film history, movie marathons, top 5 lists, black coffee, the Muppets, ’90s alternative music, New Hollywood cinema, Groucho Marx, Warren Zevon, and that iconic photo of Salvador Dalí walking an anteater.
