Glen Powell recently shared a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his upcoming action thriller The Running Man, revealing that Tom Cruise spent over two hours advising him on stunts and on-screen action techniques. Powell, 37, discussed the preparation during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show on November 7, 2025, offering fans insight into the film’s intense physical demands.

Tom Cruise’s Extensive Stunt Guidance

Powell, who co-starred with Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, explained that what he expected to be a quick ten-minute call with the Hollywood legend turned into an intense two-and-a-half-hour crash course in surviving stunts safely.

“Tom rang me to give me the low down and, what I thought would be a ten min call, lasted two and half hours – he basically told me how not to die!” Powell recalled.

The training included not only stunt techniques but also advice on running scenes. Powell said:

“He also gave me running lessons. He said, ‘You should film yourself running because you don’t look as cool as you think you do.’ He was so right!”

Cruise, 63, is famously known for performing nearly all of his own stunts, often setting the standard for action sequences in Hollywood.

Extreme Stunts on The Running Man

Powell detailed some of the movie’s physically demanding stunts, including abseiling down eight stories of a building in freezing weather while wearing minimal clothing and a harness.

“The crazy thing I found out after was that there was a guy whose only job was to stop me kicking a window – which means he was looking up my skirt all night – I wondered what he was seeing take after take!” Powell joked.

The film’s director, Edgar Wright, and cast members Coleman Domingo, Lee Pace, and Emilia Jones worked closely with Powell, ensuring that the action sequences were both thrilling and safe for the actors involved.

Respecting the Original Legacy

In addition to Cruise’s mentorship, Powell made sure to honor the legacy of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played the original Ben Richards in the 1987 film. Powell reached out to Schwarzenegger before filming to get his blessing for recreating the iconic character.

“I didn’t want to tread on his legacy without speaking to him,” Powell said. “He was lovely and gave me his blessing. He doesn’t miss any of his action movies. He was like, ‘It’s a brutal way to go to work, I preferred Kindergarten Cop and Twins.’”

The Running Man Release and Buzz

The Running Man is set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025. Fans can expect high-octane action, intense stunts, and a thrilling performance from Powell under the guidance of one of Hollywood’s top action stars, Tom Cruise. Cruise has already praised Powell’s performance, sharing photos on social media from a recent screening and publicly supporting the film.