The Central Texas Roots of This Top Gun Star Might Surprise You

Glen Thomas Powell Jr. produces, writes, and most recently can be seen acting in the new hit movie 'Top Gun: Maverick'. While he's been around for a while, you might not know that Powell was born and raised in Central Texas.

Top Gun: Maverick Actor Grew Up in Central Texas

Powell graduated from Westwood High School in northwest Austin, which is part of Round Rock ISD. While attending the University of Texas at Austin, he was an active member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and majored in Radio/TV/Film. Powell was also part of the 'Broadway Texas Players' from 1999–2003, according to empireonline.com.

Tom Cruise Convinced Him to Take Top Gun Sequel Role

Glen Powell almost said no to the Tom Cruise blockbuster 'Top Gun: Maverick', the sequel to the 1986 film that just made an estimated $124 million in its opening weekend.

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In the new film, Tom Cruise reprises his role as Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell, who returns to the naval flight academy to train a new class of pilots. One of them happens to be bad-boy pilot Lt. Jake 'Hangman' Seresin, played by Powell, who was born in Austin. He told People magazine how he first felt about the role :

I auditioned for Miles Teller's role ['Rooster' Bradshaw, the son of ill-fated pilot 'Goose' Bradshaw from the 1986 film]. When I didn't get that role, I was offered a different role. And when I read the script, it just didn't really seem like a role that connected, one that I felt super excited to play.

-Glen Powell

Powell said after discussing the part with Tom Cruise, he changed his mind. He has since leaned into his Top Gun pilot training for the film, and got a real pilot's license, according to KXAN.