Top Gun: Maverick did an outstanding job at the Box Office as the movie generated $1.4 billion in sales, considering the film had a budget of only $170 million. The film was full of stars like Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Charles Parnell, and Glenn Powell in his breakout role. However, during an interview, Powell recalls how he had to take the tough decision of being either the bad boy in Top Gun: Maverick or playing the role of an iconic character in Devotion.
But the actor recalls that he knew the consequences of working in two films of the same genre, that too in the same year would be tough for him. But Tom Cruise supported him and gave his blessings to pursue both movies.
Tom Cruise Supported Glenn Powell for Devotion
During an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the Red Wing actor stated how he decided to play the role of Tom Hudner in Devotion. Glen Powell went to Adam Makos, the author of the book on which Devotion was made to convince him that he would be the ideal actor for the iconic fighter pilot.
“That person had a couple drinks at a Hollywood party and told me they weren’t planning on making this movie. And I said, ‘Would you mind if I made it?’ And they were like, ‘Yeah, sure.’ So I went to [author Adam Makos], and I said, ‘Hey, if you let me have this, I promise I’ll tell it in the best way possible.’”
In the same interview, Powell stated that he had to choose one of the films, because being in two films of the same genre while playing similar characters might affect his image. However, Tom Cruise supported him in doing both movies when he expressed his concerns regarding the projects.
“I said, ‘Hey, Tom, I already have a naval aviation movie that’s really close to my heart,’” Powell recalled. “And Tom said, ‘There’s room for two. You can do Top Gun, you can do Devotion. You don’t have to choose.’ The fact that Tom gave me the liberty to make both, Black Label and Sony gave me the liberty to make both — I feel like these are two movies that could not be more different from each other, but really complement just the love of aviation and the legacy of our men and women in uniform.”
Even though the actor was worried that he would be compared to his roles in both films, it was safe to say that the roles in both movies were quite different but both celebrate the victories of naval aviators.
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How is Devotion Different from Top Gun: Maverick?
In spite of the two films sharing the chronicles of naval aviators, while showcasing epic aerial combat, both films are quite contrasting. Top Gun: Maverick was similar to the first film as the sequel was lighthearted and full of rivalries among the Top Gun school pilots. The film had very little air combat in the end and some critics called the film too fictional because the enemies were unnamed and the mission took place in an unknown location.
On the other hand, Devotion has a more serious tone showcasing racism, as the film was set during the Korean war and it revolves around the first African American aviator. The film tells the true story of the naval aviator duo Lt. Tom Hudner (Glen Powell) and Ensign Jesse Brown (Jonathan Majors). Regardless of comparisons and differences, both films are unique in their own manner and are enjoyable to watch.
Top Gun: Maverick can be streamed on Paramount+.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
