Being an actor means losing out on many, many roles, especially when you are just starting out. Glen Powell knows this agonizing truth all too well. The actor was initially known for his role in Scream Queens (2015-2016), where he played Chad Radwell. However, he gained worldwide fame and recognition only after playing Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick (2022). He then went on to star in his own rom-com, Anyone but You (2023) opposite the gorgeous Sydney Sweeney.
If there is anyone in the film industry who greatly appreciates their rise in fame, it is Glen Powell. The actor came so close to playing many iconic roles in his career that would’ve given him recognition well before Maverick. This includes the time when he auditioned for The Longest Ride (2015).
Glen Powell Recalls his ‘The Longest Ride’ Audition
While in conversation with GQ magazine, Glen Powell mentioned quite a few projects he auditioned for. While he came close to playing many of them, things were not looking good right from the get-go for others.
Powell confided in the magazine about just how torturous it is to blow an audition, and while he has missed out on many opportunities, The Longest Ride stands out.
Directed by George Tillman Jr., The Longest Ride is based on the namesake romance novel by Nicholas Sparks. The film follows the story of a couple, Sophia and Luke, who are losing the spark between them thanks to how different their two worlds are.
Powell remembered auditioning for the role of Luke, a professional bull rider. He stated how producer Marty Bowen looked at him during the audition, and his face was enough to let Powell know that he had blown his audition.
I remember Marty Bowen, who was the producer, just looking at me like, ‘Yeah, this is not going well.’
The role eventually went to Clint Eastwood’s son, Scott Eastwood, who won the Choice Movie Actor: Drama award at the 2015 Teen Choice Awards.
Other Roles Glen Powell Lost Out On
From Captain America to Oppenheimer, Powell has had to say goodbye to many roles in his life. But hey, all of that comes with being an actor, doesn’t it?
The actor told GQ about the time he auditioned to play Han Solo in Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). He said, “I can joke about it now, [but] I blew that final audition.”
Then came Cowboys & Aliens (2011) for the role of Percy Dolarhyde. Powell prepped a ton for the audition and studied the work of Ben Foster as he believed the director would want the character to have the actor’s traits. He was shocked to find out that Foster was also auditioning for the role.
I auditioned for Cowboys & Aliens, to play Harrison Ford’s son. I was like, I’ve gotta be Ben Foster. Then I get to the audition the next day and I look at the sign-in sheet. The guy before me is Ben Foster.
In the end, the film cast neither Powell nor Foster and went with Paul Dano instead.
Being rejected back-to-back tends to take a toll on your mental health, and you do end up questioning yourself. Something similar happened to Powell when he auditioned for Friday Night Lights (2006-2011).
I auditioned for it like three or four times. I was really right for the role and kept not getting it. That was a part of my career where I felt like, ‘Am I ever gonna get a shot?’
In fact, Powell also didn’t get the Top Gun: Maverick role he initially auditioned for – Rooster.
Well, Powell learned the hard way that good things take time. Now, after his tremendous performance in his last two films, who wouldn’t want to say yes to him?
Stream The Longest Ride on Max.
