Glen Powell is flying high as his new romantic comedy “Anyone But You” beats box office expectations. The actor, known for playing the hotshot pilot Hangman in “Top Gun: Maverick,” now has a bonafide hit movie under his belt.
Surprise Box Office Smash
“Anyone But You” was expected to be a modest romantic comedy success, but the film has taken off with audiences and outpaced projections. As Variety reports, the movie brought in $16.3 million domestically in its opening weekend. That’s well above the expected $8-10 million range.
Overseas, “Anyone But You” also did well with $5.2 million from limited markets. Building on positive word of mouth, analysts predict the movie could earn over $50 million total. For comparison, another recent rom com “Ticket to Paradise” starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts topped out at $70 million globally.
Powell himself seemed thrilled by the successful launch, telling Variety “Who doesn’t want to defy expectations?”
Critics Enjoy Powell’s Tongue-in-Cheek Charm
Reviews for “Anyone But You” also helped propel its success. While not universal acclaim, most critics enjoyed Powell’s performance and the movie’s self-aware take on romantic comedy tropes.
Collider called it “a serendipitous good time,” while the LA Times said Powell has “tongue-in-cheek leading man charm.”
Some international outlets like The News in Pakistan appreciated Powell’s meta commentary on tired rom-com cliches. As the actor himself said:
I think it’s a little silly to outwardly mock the genre. But as an audience we’ve gotten smart enough to understand story tropes, and know when a film is poking fun at itself. I think that’s fun.
However, not all critics were as enthusiastic. IndieWire felt it was “too bland to be subversive,” while Slashfilm said Powell lacked “genuine leading man magnetism.”
Still, the overall critical reception leans positive with a 71% Rotten Tomatoes score. More importantly, audiences seem to really enjoy Powell’s performance, awarding the movie an “A” CinemaScore.
From Hangman to Headliner
The success of “Anyone But You” represents a big step for Glen Powell in cementing himself as a Hollywood leading man. While no overnight sensation, Powell has built his career through scene-stealing supporting turns in major blockbusters.
He first turned heads with a memorable role as astronaut John Glenn in 2016’s “Hidden Figures.” This led to his casting in 2017’s soccer drama “Goal,” where he played a hotshot striker with echoes of a young Cristiano Ronaldo.
| Film | Box Office | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Hidden Figures | $235 million | Supporting – Astronaut John Glenn |
| Everybody Wants Some!! | $7 million | Supporting – College baseball player |
| Goal | $16 million | Lead – Soccer phenom Santiago Muñez |
However, Powell’s breakout part came as the pilot Hangman in 2022’s legacy sequel “Top Gun: Maverick.” Starring opposite Tom Cruise, Powell brought humor and personality to potentially one-note antagonist. He even performed real aerial stunt work during filming.
“Maverick” would gross a mammoth $1.4 billion globally, becoming Tom Cruise’s biggest hit ever. Powell’s Hangman was considered a highlight by many critics and fans. Combined with cameo appearances in “Scream VI” and “Devotion” last year, the actor’s stock has been steadily rising.
But without a real starring showcase vehicle, Powell’s ability to open a movie remained untested. “Anyone But You” changes that with strong box office receipts and wins over both critics and general crowds.
What’s Next After Rom-Com Success?
In post-release interviews, Glen Powell has expressed gratitude for the success of “Anyone But You” but doesn’t intend to abandon blockbusters either. In fact, his next two projects see the actor re-team with prior high-profile collaborators.
Later this year Powell will star in an unnamed new film from legendary director Richard Linklater. The two previously worked together on college baseball comedy “Everybody Wants Some!!” back in 2016. Plot details remain under wraps, but Linklater movies are often critical favorites.
Powell is also fielding inevitable questions about a return to the “Top Gun” franchise. While not confirmed for any future sequel, in an IMDB interview Powell certainly leaves the door open:
Of course I’d love to work on another Top Gun! I think there’s still story potential in that world and with those characters that people want to see. If TC and Kosinski invited me back, I’d be there in a heartbeat!
For now though, Glen Powell is simply enjoying his successful turn in the romantic lead. We’ll have to wait and see whether he chooses more off-beat Linklater dramedies, multi-million dollar Tom Cruise vehicles, or even more conventional star vehicles now that “Anyone But You” proved his mainstream appeal.
One thing is clear – Glen Powell has moved himself higher up on the Hollywood call sheet. With his self-effacing charm and willingness to mock his own emergence into stardom, Powell feels poised to become 2024’s breakout actor.
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