Top Gun: Maverick

Glen Powell almost did n’t play Hangman inTop Gun : Maverick , and both the role and movie are much better because of his variety of center . The 2022 subsequence to Top Gun overtake up with Tom Cruise ’s Pete " Maverick " Mitchell as he direct a new crop of pilot for a grave mission , one of which is Powell ’s Jake " Hangman " Seresin . Powell originally auditioned for the role of Rooster , which cease up break to Miles Teller , and was offered the part of Hangman , then call " Slayer . " At first , Powell was n’t interested in the role , think Hangman to be two - dimensional and without use . as luck would have it forTop Gun : Maverick , Powell accepted the role , improving the reference of Hangman immensely .

On the page , Hangman is a relatively electrostatic character , but Glen Powell manages to have the best his business organization about the role to give a unassailable carrying out in theTop Gunfollow - up . In addition , Powell contributed tothe organic evolution of Hangman , making Hangman a everlasting foil to Miles Teller ’s Rooster . In the hand of a lesser actor , Hangman could have been a flat , forgettable antagonist , but because Powell was convinced to play the part , Hangman became an constitutional part ofTop Gun : Maverick .

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Why Glen Powell Is So Perfect As Hangman

When Glen Powell was offer the persona of Hangman , the character was initially cry " Slayer . " When Powell signed on to do the part , he was involved in several creative decisions that helped acquire the character beyond a two - dimensional antagonistic military recruit , including changing his name to Hangman . Phoenix explains the meaning behind Hangman ’s name , stating that he ’s called Hangman because " [ he ] will always impart you out to dry . " Hangman ultimately proves Phoenix ’s assessment wrong when he rescue Rooster and Maverick atthe end ofTop Gun : rebel . Through Hangman ’s name modification , Powell yield him an spark beyond just being Rooster ’s challenger ( something easily could have been all he was ) , which is part of why he is so utter for the theatrical role .

Outside the creative change Powell brought to the part of Hangman , he also elevated his role as a rival / antagonist to Rooster . On the surface , Hangman is cocky and occasionally rude to his fellow pilots , but Powell bring personal magnetism to the role , make him likable . He and Miles Teller ’s real rivalry for Rooster ’s rolealso created great chemical science that echoed that of Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer from the firstTop Gun , establish them credible rivals . This , along with Powell ’s magical spell , fix it even more substantial when he lay aside Rooster and Maverick . Powell ’s charisma and interpersonal chemistry with the rest of the cast is mostly why the " two - dimensional " character of Hangman has been so well - received .

Hangman Was Key To Making Top Gun: Maverick Work

Glen Powell ’s Hangman is a polar part of what makesTop Gun : Maverickwork so well , not just because he saves the main characters at the destruction . Hangman add a dynamic that the new TOPGUN recruits need , particularly Rooster . Though Rooster already had passel of conflict with Maverick in theTop Gunsequel to carry the motion picture , his competition with Hangman helped facilitate much of Rooster ’s growthas a pilot burner . Hangman andRooster ’s relationship in the film is also a enceinte callback to that between Maverick and Iceman , one that feel both familiar yet set a different spin on the storyline . Ultimately , this is the charm of both Hangman andTop Gun : Maverick , which help oneself make the latter a worthy follow - up to the beloved original .

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Hangman looking to the side as a jet is behind him in Top Gun Maverick

Rooster (Miles Teller) and Hangman (Glen Powell) talking in Top Gun: Maverick.

Top Gun: Maverick