The reason Glen Powell first declined the Hangman role in Top Gun: Maverick is revealed. In 2022, more than three decades after Maverick first appeared in Top Gun in 1986, Tom Cruise returned to what is undoubtedly his most recognizable character. Unlike the first movie, Top Gun: Maverick focused on the story of the title character as he coped with his issues in both his personal and professional lives. The Joseph Kosinski-directed sequel added new Navy pilots, such as Powell’s Jake “Hangman” Seresin because Maverick returned to TOPGUN to train a new breed of pilots for a critically essential and deadly mission.
Powell wasn’t a newcomer to the profession when he acted in Top Gun: Maverick, but it’s possible that the movie propelled him into the public eye. The actor initially showed up for the role of Rooster, Goose’s kid, which Miles Teller ultimately took up. Despite this, he was invited to read for a different character, Hangman, who was later referred to as Slayer. Powell now admits to GQ that he wasn’t very interested in the part, calling it “Navy Draco Malfoy” and “dick garnish.” But Cruise, Kosinski, Jerry Bruckheimer, Christopher McQuarrie, and the others persuaded him that he could make Hangman come to life. Here is his complete account:
He was there to add conflict to Rooster’s character, which is a good thing, but he wasn’t three-dimensional and he had no pay off. I didn’t know why he existed. It was a leap of faith. In hindsight, I’m like, God, I can’t imagine if I missed out on this one, but it wasn’t so obvious.
Powell’s Top Gun Role: Maverick’s Hangman – Why He Fit The Part
It’s fascinating to see how much Hangman has changed since Powell first played the character in Top Gun: Maverick. Many of the character’s artistic choices, including the name change from Slayer, were made with input from the actor. Even though Powell was well-liked, it’s hard to disagree with his assertion that Hangman doesn’t have any payoff. Although he was entertaining to watch, mainly when he played with Maverick and Rooster, there isn’t much known about him other than the fact that he is an arrogant but skilled Navy pilot. Even if he had some character growth at the end of the movie, that doesn’t exactly make him a fully developed player.
The good news is that despite everything, Powell portrayed Maverick in Top Gun: Maverick so charmingly and enthusiastically that it was hard not to care for him. He was appealing even when he was acting rudely and arrogantly. In fact, Hangman might be considered Maverick’s true personality heir. He has a similar sense of entitlement as the illustrious Navy pilot, which occasionally puts him into problems. But he is devoted to his vocation as a jet pilot and dedicated to it. He is also very responsible, which is why he insisted on flying support while Maverick and Rooster were returning to their ship.
Powell and Cruise got along really well while filming Top Gun: Maverick. Given this and the response from the audience, it’s safe to assume that he will have a significant role in the eventual revival of Top Gun. Top Gun 3 may be led by Hangman and Rooster while Maverick takes a backseat and returns in later movies.