Glen Powell Addresses Rumor He’ll Replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible Franchise

Glen Powell isn’t running to replace Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.

The 36-year-old actor shut down rumors that he would be stepping up (and maybe jumping off buildings) if Tom ever hands over the reins of the iconic action role.

“My mom would never let me do that,” Glen joked to sports analyst Pat McAfee on Nov. 12. “That’s a death trap.”

Tom, 62, has starred as Ethan Hunt—the government operative known for his death-defying stunts—since the franchise premiered in 1996. On Nov. 12, the teaser trailer dropped for Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, which picks up where 2023’s Dead Reckoning left off. While the trailer didn’t give much away, it does confirm that the eighth, and rumored final film of the franchise, sees Tom once again doing an impressive range of stunts.

It’s a commitment Tom brings to a role that Glen has seen first-hand when they played opposite each other in Top Gun: Maverick. Following the film’s release, the internet and Hollywood couldn’t get enough of their bromance.

Neither could the Anyone But You star, who dished about the bond they built during filming, and the role Tom has played as his mentor.

“It’s the best,” Glen told E! News in July. “He’s such a great friend and such a great mentor and it’s been such a special part of my life.”

So when it comes to flying together once again on-screen in another Top Gun film, Glen said he’s all for it, but it’s not his choice to make.

“That’s above my pay grade, man.” Glen added to E! “I’m sure those conversations are happening, but you know, Maverick is at the head of those.”

Glen also credited Tom for showing him the ropes when it comes to working on big budget films, such as Twisters.

“Making that movie together was one that changed my life,” he told E! News. “It really taught me a lot about how to make a big event movie and so many of those lessons on Top Gun were put into Twisters and it really benefitted.” 

Watch E! News weeknights Monday through Thursday at 11 p.m., only on E!.