Tom Cruise Pulls Epic Helicopter Prank on Glen Powell During 'Top Gun: Maverick' Filming

Tom Cruise is truly a Maverick. Glen Powell recently revealed in an interview with British GQ on Tuesday, May 28, how his Top Gun: Maverick costar pulled off the ultimate prank on him during the making of the 2022 blockbuster.

Cruise, who is 61 years old, flew Powell back to London from reshoots at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England, in his helicopter. However, during the flight, Cruise decided to play a prank on Powell by pretending that the aircraft was going down.

"Tom goes, 'Oh no, oh no,' and he starts dropping the helicopter over London," shared Powell, who is 35 years old. "I was like, 'Am I about to be the unnamed guy that dies with Tom in a smoking hole in the middle of London?'"

Powell mentioned that he and Cruise connected on set because they both share a passion for movies. Cruise even showed Powell a personal film he made about the art of filmmaking.

As per GQ, Cruise arranged for the Anyone But You actor to visit an empty theater in Los Angeles. There, Powell watched Cruise talk to the camera for six hours, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience in filmmaking.

Powell recounted how Cruise had said the film was meant only for his friends.

Describing the movie, Powell shared how Cruise went into detail about the differences between a film camera and a digital camera. He also mentioned the humor in Cruise putting together a flight school, teaching about planes, how things fly, and how air pressure works.

Back in November 2022, Powell shared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that Cruise set up a skydiving experience for him, which almost ended in tragedy.

“It was my second date with my girlfriend,” Powell recalled. “When I arrived, I learned that Tom’s condition was that I had to skydive alone for the first time. So, I had to take the leap all by myself.”

He continued to share his experience, mentioning that the worst part was not being able to find his tab when he was falling. It's the nightmare that everyone talks about. But his first thought was not a selfless one. He thought, "Oh, Tom just killed me. He's going to feel so bad."

Reflecting on the situation, he thought, "God, he pushed me to do this thing." While searching for the tab, he realized, "You're not Tom Cruise. You'll never be Tom Cruise. Why did you do this?" Eventually, he managed to pull the tab. Despite being below altitude and coming in hot, he made it, went back up, and did it again.

Editor's P/S:

Tom Cruise's playful and daring nature shines through in his playful prank on his "Top Gun: Maverick" co-star, Glen Powell. Cruise's ability to combine humor and adventure is evident in this anecdote, which showcases his willingness to go the extra mile for a laugh. Despite the potential risks involved, Cruise's execution of the prank demonstrates his confidence and trust in his co-star, highlighting their close bond forged on set.

Beyond the prank, Cruise's dedication to his craft is evident in his sharing of a personal film with Powell. The film's focus on the art of filmmaking reflects Cruise's passion for the industry and his desire to impart his knowledge and experience with others. His willingness to mentor and support aspiring filmmakers underscores his commitment to fostering the next generation of talent in the entertainment industry.