Glen Powell, the breakout star of the hit film “Top Gun: Maverick,” recently revealed that he nearly went broke while waiting for the movie’s release. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Powell candidly shared that he had never made a significant amount of money from a movie before and was depleting his bank account to the point where his accountant expressed concern. The release of “Top Gun: Maverick” was originally scheduled for 2019 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite opportunities to release the film on a streaming service, Tom Cruise insisted on a theatrical release, even if it meant financial hardship for the younger actors involved. The film eventually hit theaters in May 2022 and went on to gross $1.5 billion worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing film of the year.
For Powell, the delay of “Top Gun: Maverick” put him in a financial pickle. However, it also served as his breakout role in Hollywood. By December 2023, Powell had become a Hollywood star with the release of the romantic comedy “Anyone But You,” in which he co-starred alongside Sydney Sweeney. The success of the film could be attributed not only to Powell’s talent but also to the undeniable chemistry between him and Sweeney. The on-screen chemistry led to rumors that the two actors were secretly dating, which Powell admitted to leaning into for promotional purposes. In an interview with the New York Times, Powell explained that the key elements to sell a rom-com are fun and chemistry, both of which he shared with Sweeney. Despite the rumors, Powell clarified that he and Sweeney were not a couple. Nevertheless, the speculation surrounding their relationship helped propel “Anyone But You” to box office success, earning over $219 million worldwide.
In conclusion, Glen Powell’s journey from financial struggle to Hollywood stardom is a testament to his talent and the success of “Top Gun: Maverick.” Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic-related delay, Powell’s breakout role in the film catapulted him to fame. His subsequent collaboration with Sydney Sweeney in “Anyone But You” further solidified his status as a rising star. While the rumors of a romantic relationship between Powell and Sweeney were just that – rumors, they undoubtedly contributed to the film’s success. Powell’s willingness to embrace the gossip and capitalize on the on-screen chemistry with Sweeney proved to be a smart promotional strategy. With his career on the rise, Glen Powell is poised for even greater success in the future.
