"That’s a death trap"— Glen Powell addresses rumors about Tom Cruise wanting him in the Mission Impossible franchise

Glen Powell is making headlines following the reports that he would be taking over Tom Cruise's iconic role as Ethan Hunt in the long-running Mission Impossible franchise. To clear up the rumors, ESPN Commentator Pat McAfee decided to go straight to the source.

During the Tuesday, November 12, broadcast of The Pat McAfee Show, McAfee FaceTimed Powell to ask if there was any truth to the speculation. Powell replied:

"My mom would never let me do that."

While avoiding a definite answer about replacing Tom Cruise in the Mission Impossible franchise, Powell jokingly added:

"[It's the] worst gig in town, everybody knows that. That's a death trap."

The conversation was lighthearted, with Powell bursting into laughter, prompting the show's host to say, 'He's lying!' The two then briefly talked about college football before McAfee asked what movie he was currently working on, to which Powell said The Running Man.

Speaking of Mission Impossible, Tom Cruise, who has been the face of the franchise since 1996, will return as Ethan Hunt in the eighth installment titled The Final Reckoning. The movie is slated to release in theaters in May 2025. Apart from Cruise, it stars Ving Rhames, Hayley Atwell, Angela Bassett, Vanessa Kirby, and more.

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Glen Powell previously worked with Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick

It remains uncertain whether Glen Powell will inherit Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible character for future installments. However, the two have developed a strong personal and professional relationship since working together. Powell and Cruise previously worked on the high-flying 2022 blockbuster Top Gun: Maverick, where Cruise reprised his role as Capt. Pete "Maverick" Mitchell.

Meanwhile, the Hit Man actor joined the cast as the daredevil pilot Lt. Jake "Hangman" Seresin, known for his arrogance. However, he redeemed himself in the end when he saved Maverick and Rooster (played by Miles Teller) during their escape from a hostile territory.

Glen Powell reportedly auditioned for Rooster's role but ultimately lost it to Teller. Tom Cruise and director Joe Kosinski reportedly offered him the role of Hangman. In an interview with GQ UK on May 28, 2024, Powell expressed that he wasn't interested in the original Hangman character, who was at Top Gun because of nepotism. He mentioned that he had notes about the character, which inspired Cruise and Kosinski to rework Hangman's storyline based on his comments.

Glen Powell has also talked about Tom Cruise being his mentor and how the veteran Hollywood star took him under his wing. He told E! News about their friendship that blossomed from working together in Maverick in July 2024, saying:

"It's the best. He's such a great friend and such a great mentor and it's been such a special part of my life."

The Anyone But You star also revealed to The Hollywood Reporter in May 2024 that Tom Cruise has given him worthy advice that he keeps coming back to. Powell said:

"I kept coming back to something that Cruise had said, which was, 'The world's going to become really loud, and it's your decision how much you turn up or down the volume.'"

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As for his latest project, Glen Powell is starring in the new adaptation of Stephen King's The Running Man. Edgar Wright is directing the movie, which is set to release on November 21, 2025. The film also features Josh Brolin, William H. Macy, Katy O'Brian, and more.