Glen Powell: Texan, Not Bond, Tackles Sci-Fi Thriller and Sprints with Cruise's Advice

Glen Powell BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Glen Powell has kept headlines busy this week with a mix of major projects, career moves, and persistent internet chatter. The most prominent story centers on Powell’s decision to firmly take himself out of the running to play James Bond. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter and echoed across Fox News, The News International, and wide-reaching social media accounts, Powell joked that being a Texan makes him an unfit choice for the iconic British spy, saying, “My family and I joke around, I can play Jimmy Bond, but I should not be playing James Bond. Get an authentic Brit for that job. That’s who belongs in that tuxedo.” Speculation about his potential casting gained traction online as Amazon MGM is rebooting the franchise with Denis Villeneuve directing, but Powell’s repeated statements this week have made it clear he wants the conversation ended.

Just as those Bond rumors were settled, Glen was spotted in Rhode Island where he’s begun filming for J.J. Abrams’ new sci-fi thriller Ghostwriter alongside Samuel L. Jackson and Jenna Ortega. Local media and even the East Providence mayor reported glimpses of Powell on set and shared that, apart from acting, Powell is heavily involved in other businesses that keep his schedule packed. According to his parents, Glen works “20 hours a day” with multiple hustles, a sign his ambitions extend far beyond film roles.

On the cinematic front, Powell revealed new details about his starring role in Edgar Wright’s upcoming adaptation of The Running Man, with Empire Magazine and Pearland Dean highlighting his determination to do his own stunts and impress fans with authentic high-intensity sprinting. He even sought advice from Tom Cruise on how to look cool running onscreen, underscoring both his commitment to the role and reverence for industry mentors.

Powell also gave a new update on a possible Anyone But You sequel with Sydney Sweeney—he told The Hollywood Reporter that they are “still talking” about it but have no current plan to reunite for the rom-com follow-up. Sweeney discussed their real-life friendship with WSJ, clarifying that the pair leaned into romance rumors only to see public speculation ignite, but behind the scenes they remain collaborators, not a couple.

Meanwhile, Powell’s growing profile is setting him up for more endorsements, sponsorships, and work as a director. In several interviews, he’s expressed interest in stepping behind the camera someday after learning from mentors like Richard Linklater, Lee Isaac Chung, J.J. Abrams, and Edgar Wright. While no new major brand deals have been confirmed yet, watch this space. Social media buzz about the Bond issue and his Ghostwriter appearance remains strong, with top film influencers and entertainment reporters amplifying Powell’s every move.

No credible reports this week from his personal life or social circles, besides routine promotion. Everything points to Powell as a relentless worker entering a blockbuster phase, carving out new territory beyond just being Hollywood’s newest heartthrob. With a blend of public candor and tireless work ethic, Powell’s recent activity is shaping a career poised for more creative risks—and major headlines still to come.

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