Glen Powell Almost Landed Josh Hartnett's Role In Oppenheimer (2024)

By Gaius Bolling

Glen Powell, who had a small role in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, has kept in touch with the director to possibly work with him again.

Glen Powell Almost Landed Josh Hartnett's Role In Oppenheimer (1)

Summary

  • Glen Powell narrowly missed out on a part in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, showcasing his rising star in Hollywood.
  • Powell previously worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight Rises, despite recent missed opportunities for other projects.
  • Rising star Powell's upcoming projects include Twisters and numerous other films with well-known directors in various stages of development.

Glen Powell has many upcoming roles on his slate, but the Hit Man star recently spoke about one particular part that he missed out on. Since his supporting turn in Top Gun: Maverick, Powell has become a hot commodity in Hollywood and could very well be one of his generation's most sought-after actors. That being said, the actor can't land every part out there, and he's revealing that he missed out on an opportunity to work with Christopher Nolan on his last film, Oppenheimer.

Glen Powell Almost Landed Josh Hartnett's Role In Oppenheimer (2)
Oppenheimer

Where to Watch

*Availability in US

  • stream
  • rent
  • buy
Glen Powell Almost Landed Josh Hartnett's Role In Oppenheimer (8)

5/5

Release Date
July 21, 2023
Director
Christopher Nolan
Cast
Cillian Murphy , Matt Damon , Robert Downey Jr. , Emily Blunt , Florence Pugh , Gary Oldman , Josh Hartnett , Jack Quaid , Kenneth Branagh , Rami Malek , Alex Wolff , Matthew Modine

Runtime
180 Minutes
Main Genre
Biography
Writers
Kai Bird , Christopher Nolan , Martin J. Sherwin

Studio
Universal Pictures, Atlas Entertainment, Syncopy

During a chat with GQ UK, Powell revealed that he was very close to playing nuclear physicist Ernest Lawrence in Oppenheimer, a role that ultimately went to Josh Hartnett. Powell says that he missed out getting the part "by a slim margin" but did admit that he's still in touch with Nolan and has "faith that they'll get to do something together soon." Should Powell get that opportunity, it wouldn't be the first time that the actor and Nolan have worked together.

Related

Hit Man Review: Glen Powell Goes Big in an Insane Rom-Com

Hit Man is a genuinely psychotic movie disguised as a mainstream action rom-com, with great chemistry between Glen Powell and Adria Arjona.

Glen Powell Would Work With Christopher Nolan Again

Glen Powell Almost Landed Josh Hartnett's Role In Oppenheimer (10)

Before Powell made a big mark in the industry, the actor had a small role in Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises. The actor played a trader who has the misfortune of crossing paths with Bane (Tom Hardy) at the Gotham Stock Market. Bane ends up taking the trader's head and smashing it into a keyboard, a moment that fans have regularly pointed out after Powell began securing more movie roles. Powell doesn't mention his time doing The Dark Knight Rises in the interview, but that's surely a moment that an actor wouldn't forget.

Watching Powell's ascension has been incredible to watch. Following Top Gun: Maverick, Powell starred in Devotion and then created a big critical stir when Richard Linklater's Hit Man, a film he stars in and co-wrote, premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. The movie currently holds a stellar 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and it has steadily built up buzz heading into its debut on Netflix on June 7.

More success followed with the romantic comedy Anyone But You, co-starring Sydney Sweeney. While many tried to suggest a streaming release for the rom-com, Powell and Sweeney felt strongly that it should be released exclusively in theaters. It's a move that would ultimately pay off, with the film releasing in December 2023 and ending its run on $219 million globally on a slim $25 million budget.

Related

Top Gun: Maverick Star Glen Powell Is Only Interested in One DCU Superhero Role

Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell is not really interested in starring as a superhero...unless it's a particular DC icon.

Powell will next be seen in Twisters, a standalone sequel to the 1996 disaster movie hit. The actor will be playing the co*cky storm chaser Tyler Owens, alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Maura Tierney, and Sasha Lane. Twisters hits screens on July 19. In addition, Powell's other projects in various stages of development are a remake of The Running Man by director Edgar Wright, a project with director J.J. Abrams, the revenge thriller Huntington, and a remake of Heaven Can Wait.

Glen Powell Almost Landed Josh Hartnett's Role In Oppenheimer (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Last Updated:

Views: 6410

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (54 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Refugio Daniel

Birthday: 1999-09-15

Address: 8416 Beatty Center, Derekfort, VA 72092-0500

Phone: +6838967160603

Job: Mining Executive

Hobby: Woodworking, Knitting, Fishing, Coffee roasting, Kayaking, Horseback riding, Kite flying

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Refugio Daniel, I am a fine, precious, encouraging, calm, glamorous, vivacious, friendly person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.