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One of Top Gun: Maverick‘s newest character is Glen Powell’s Hangman and there’s a number of reasons to believe he could be Pete Mitchell’s (Tom Cruise) secret son. After more than three decades, the ’80s iconic film that catapulted Cruise to mainstream popularity, Top Gun, is finally getting a sequel. But with a lot of the original actors not returning, the upcoming Joseph Kosinski film is introducing a string of new characters, including quite a few young pilot students for Maverick to train at TOPGUN.
The list of new recruits includes Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw – the son of Maverick’s former RIO, Nick “Goose” Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards) who died tragically during an intense training session gone wrong in the original film. Trailers have heavily hinted that he’ll be a pivotal part of the narrative, especially since Top Gun: Maverick will see the titular character confront his past. Based on the promos, the pair will have a tumultuous relationship, with Rooster more likely still harboring ill-feelings towards his dad’s ex-flying partner. That said, the young Bradshaw may not be the only new character in the sequel who comes from a family of navy pilots as Powell’s character might also be as well as by potentially being the secret son of Maverick.
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Known for a string of small roles, Powell broke through playing Chad Radwell in Fox’s comedy-horror series, Scream Queens. He also starred in the Academy Award-nominated movie, Hidden Figures, as well as, Netflix’s romantic comedy, Set It Up. Now, he’s ready to take on a blockbuster film in Top Gun: Maverick where he could be playing a much important role than marketing is leading on.
Glen Powell’s Role In Top Gun: Maverick Is Mostly Being Kept Secret
There’s a lot of interest in the newest batch of TOPGUN recruits that will be introduced in Top Gun: Maverick, including Hangman. Unlike Rooster, however, there’s very little revealed about him thus far. Aside from being a new pilot trainee, there is no indication of his origins or how he fits in the movie’s story. In fact, the film’s official information has yet to even reveal his full name – with the character only known as his monicker.
Admittedly, this is quite odd for new parts considering sequels typically push for additional cast members so the public can learn what roles they play in the story, and how their existence affects previously introduced characters. Given this, Top Gun: Maverick should be giving fans more information about Powell’s Hangman. Unless there’s a specific reason why they’re keeping his character details under wraps like, him being Maverick’s son, which would be a major plot twist that they’re saving for the movie.
Glen Powell’s Character Looks Like Top Gun’s New Maverick
Based on the trailers, Top Gun: Maverick will have the same vibe as the original film and viewers can expect intense competition among the hotshot pilots. Fans already know Rooster will be a major player in the narrative, with his relationship and shared history with Maverick being a focal point. However, he will also be engaged in an intense rivalry with another fellow trainee while he’s in the Academy, meaning another pilot could be his fiercest competitor – Hangman. This is backed up by several promotional clips including a snippet where a fight breaks out between the pair with Maverick breaking them apart. This is also indicated in the sequel’s updated beach volleyball scene where the new recruits engage in a game, just like how their Top Gun predecessors did 34 years ago.
As Rooster’s prime rival, Hangman can be the sequel’s new Maverick. He’s a skilled pilot, a daredevil in the air, and is fiercely competitive just like the movie’s titular character in the original Top Gun. Introducing a modern-age version of Top Gun: Maverick‘s titular character could be planting plot seeds for a potential third film in the franchise which Hangman can spearhead.
Glen Powell’s Role In Top Gun 2 Was Expanded Because of Tom Cruise
Powell originally auditioned to play Bradley Bradshaw in Top Gun: Maverick. Unfortunately, he didn’t nab the role, with the gig ending up in Teller’s lap. Despite this, several of the actors and the film’s producers saw something in the actor to bring him in for a different role. Cruise, in particular, seemed to have seen something special with Powell – so much so that he personally paid for his flying lessons just so he can get on board the sequel. They also purposefully reworked the movie’s story so that there’s more for the actor to do in the upcoming blockbuster.
These are clear indications that there’s something bigger going on for Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick than being another pilot trainee. Cruise wouldn’t have gone through all the trouble of making sure he’s able to fly an aircraft if there’s not any particular significance to the character or a future for him in possible additional sequels.
When Maverick Could’ve Had A Child After Top Gun
The aforementioned points make a good case why Hangman will more likely be a key player in Top Gun: Maverick, effectively supporting the theory that he is Maverick’s son. That said, it’s curious when Maverick might have had a kid and who he could’ve had it with. Obviously, the birth of the child would be set after the events of Top Gun, which fits with Powell’s age, with the actor in his early 30s. At the end of the original movie, the idea was that Maverick and Charlotte “Charlie” Blackwood (Kelly McGillis) have gotten back together. Whether or not it’s for the long term was uncertain, but she could easily be the mother of Maverick’s offspring.
It’s worth noting that Charlie won’t be in Top Gun: Maverick, however, with Maverick having a different love interest now - Penny Benjamin (Jennifer Connelly), a bar owner single mother who’s also the daughter of a former admiral. According to McGillis, she wasn’t asked to return for the sequel and it hasn’t been revealed why she wasn’t invited back. While Charlie might not have a physical presence in the upcoming movie, introducing her and Maverick’s son in Hangman would be a good way to still get her involved in the story. This also means Top Gun: Maverick will have to address what happened between the former lovers in between the films, shedding a light on why they ultimately went their separate ways after their reunion at the end of the first film.
It might have taken a long time for Top Gun to get a sequel, but depending on how the story of Top Gun: Maverick pans out, it could be the beginning of a successful franchise. Introducing a new crop of pilot trainees ensures that there’s a way to continue the story even if Cruise decides to retire his character. In conjunction with that, making Hangman Maverick’s son not only elevates the budding franchise’s themes of family, but it also certifies that no matter where its story goes, the film series’ original lead character will always be a key player in future movies through his lineage.
- Top Gun: Maverick/Top Gun 2 (2021)Release date: Jul 02, 2021