When the search for the next James Bond heats up, speculation around rising stars and who would be the perfect choice to be directed by Denis Villeneuve in the role becomes inevitable. Glen Powell, who broke out in Top Gun: Maverick and has been circling A-list status ever since, has had his name floated as a potential 007. But the actor himself isn’t buying into the casting wishes or rumors. In a new interview, Powell shot down the possibility of donning the tuxedo, shutting the door firmly on portraying the iconic British spy.
Powell didn’t soften the blow, either. “I’m Texan. A Texan should not play James Bond,” he said. “My family and I joke around, I can play Jimmy Bond, but I should not be playing James Bond. Get an authentic Brit for that job. That’s who belongs in that tuxedo.” It’s a rare example of a Hollywood star stepping back from one of the industry’s most coveted roles, especially at a time when the franchise is facing revival and the ever-looming question of who will become Daniel Craig’s successor continues to plague internet threads and speculation articles.
Leaving Bond Behind for a Comedy Touchdown
Instead of embracing Bond speculation, Powell is steering his career in an entirely different direction. His next major project is Chad Powers, a Hulu comedy based on Eli Manning’s viral alter ego first introduced on ESPN. The series, which Powell co-created and will star in, follows a college football player who disguises himself with a fake identity in order to walk on to a new team. It’s a sharp pivot from the blockbuster action roles that made Powell’s name, but it highlights his willingness to defy typecasting.
In some ways, Powell’s outright rejection of James Bond underscores his growing confidence in defining his own career. Rather than chasing roles that come with decades of expectations to deliver on, he’s opting to invest in characters where he can bring his own spin, or build a new legacy from scratch. With Hit Man earning critical acclaim and Twisters performing well at the box office, Powell is proving he doesn’t need a role like Bond to continue furthering his career and cement his star status. It’s also a reflection of his understanding that some roles are better served by other performers, and that respecting the cultural weight of Bond is just as important as making smart, long-term career choices.
Chad Powers
- Release Date
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August 30, 2025
- Network
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Hulu
- Directors
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Tony Yacenda
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Perry Mattfeld
Russ Holliday / Chad Powers
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Frankie A. Rodriguez
Coach Byrd
