Glen Powell’s recent film, The Running Man, has struggled at the box office just days after release, challenging his bid to be seen as the Next Tom Cruise. The Hollywood actor is facing mounting questions about whether he can become a box office successor to Cruise, following disappointing early returns for the movie.
Slow Start for The Running Man Stirs Questions About Powell’s Future
The Running Man, starring Glen Powell and directed by Edgar Wright, failed to capture audience attention in its opening weekend. Powell, recently praised for his appearances in Top Gun: Maverick with Tom Cruise, Anyone but You, and Twisters, now faces doubts about his trajectory toward major action stardom. Instead of a triumphant run, the film collected just $17 million domestically, lagging behind Now You See Me: Now You Don’t, which reached $21.3 million in the same period. Hollywood observers anticipated Powell’s collaboration with Wright would connect with moviegoers, but the tepid reception has sparked concern in the industry.
According to The Daily Mail, expectations in Hollywood were high for Powell, especially since The Running Man marked his first major project as the leading man with significant backing. One insider noted,
“This movie was a major test. His first huge mega-budget film, where he’s the marquee name. Hollywood is trying to position him as the next Tom Cruise, but this is a major global fail.”
– Insider
Mixed Reactions Within the Industry and Among Insiders
Despite the bleak outcome, Powell seems committed to moving forward. An industry insider explained that setbacks are not uncommon on the path to stardom, stating,
Image of: Tom Cruise
“Glen has been working for a long time, and his star rising is a long time coming, and to be the next big star or the next Tom Cruise doesn’t happen overnight, or at all.”
– Insider
Reports also point to Powell’s optimism before the poor performance became clear, with insiders saying he was hopeful The Running Man would be a major hit. Now, Powell is reportedly looking ahead to his next opportunity. Other Hollywood sources suggest the actor’s overexposure—recently hosting Saturday Night Live and starring in the show Chad Powers, both available to home viewers—may have hurt box office sales. Another source cited:
“Audiences still like Glen, but some of the blame should be put on people watching him from home, with him being on SNL this past weekend and also having his show Chad Powers out so that you can watch on your couch.”
– Source
Perspective from Industry Leaders and Powell’s Next Steps
Some Hollywood insiders downplay the setback, viewing the box office troubles as a temporary challenge rather than a career-ending blow. Glen Powell has made no secret of his admiration for Tom Cruise, who recently attended The Running Man’s premiere in support. Notably, Cruise’s path also included box office disappointments before he established himself as one of Hollywood’s most reliable stars. The Running Man’s underwhelming performance may delay Powell’s emergence as the Next Tom Cruise, but industry watchers believe he may still be able to secure his reputation with future roles.
The story was originally reported by Anwaya Mane on Mandatory.
