Glen Powell is poised to take center stage in Hulu's upcoming sports comedy series, Chad Powers, a show inspired by Eli Manning's 2022 ESPN+ sketch. In this six-episode extravaganza, Powell steps into the shoes of Russ Holliday, a disgraced quarterback who dons a disguise as Chad Powers in a bid to snag a spot on a struggling Southern football team.
To bring his character to life with authenticity, Powell turned to none other than his close friend and mentor, Tom Cruise, for guidance. Powell credits Cruise with steering him through the intricate process of prosthetic makeup, drawing from Cruise's own firsthand experience with special effects makeup in the film "Tropic Thunder."
"Tom was an absolute lifesaver when it came to avoiding pitfalls with the prosthetics," Powell revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. "He was my go-to guy, as he often is in my life... He truly set us on the right path to ensure everything would gel seamlessly."
The partnership between Powell and Cruise blossomed during the making of Top Gun: Maverick, where Cruise not only mentored Powell but also offered sage advice on selecting the right projects. In fact, when whispers of an on-set romance swirled around Powell during the filming of Anyone But You, he leaned on Cruise's wisdom, recalling, "The world can get really noisy, and it's up to you to decide how much you crank up or dial down the volume."
Chad Powers is set to make its grand debut on Hulu on September 30, with the first two episodes dropping simultaneously. Subsequent episodes will then premiere every Tuesday for the remaining four weeks.
The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast, featuring Perry Mattfeld, Steve Zahn, and Quentin Plair, among others. It is also executive produced by a team that includes Eli and Peyton Manning, ensuring a blend of talent both on and off the screen.
