For every Mark Ruffalo or Sean Penn, there's now a Glen Powell.
At least we hope that's the case.
Powell became the latest "It" actor thanks to a killer supporting role in "Top Gun: Maverick" and the surprise rom-com hit
"Anyone But You" (2023). He's also easy on the eyes for the ladies and has been hitting the gym pretty hard.
Voila, he's the Next Big Thing. And he thinks staying out of politics is the best way to stay in that rarified lane.
Smart.
He knows that "It" status can be short-lived. That's especially true if the wrong roles come his way. That explains his recent "The Running Man" remake and this year's indie disappointment "How to Make a Killing." Both projects failed to capitalize on his agreeable screen presence.
Director Edgar Wright's "Running Man" update proved particularly nasty, missing Arnold Schwarzenneger's accessible charm and heroism.
Powell is 0-2 after the welcome box office reception for 2024's "Twisters." Does that explain his latest Esquire magazine interview?
The actor shared why you won't see him in any of those cringe-worthy videos where Very Famous People recite the same lines about their preferred candidate (or against you-know-who).
Over time ... I realized that politics divide people. People trying to prove their point—for me, it’s the worst version of a conversation. I genuinely do not like the discourse. It’s not as healthy as it once was.
Even here, he takes a diplomatic tone but holds firm on the lack of lectures.
I applaud people for jumping into those things and fighting for what they believe in. If I were a political person, I would be talking about it. For me, my calling is elsewhere.
Elsewhere, you say? Did he just paint a target on his back?
It's perfectly normal for stars not to get political. Or, at least that used to be the case. Now, stars are often bullied into piping up about the latest headlines. Just ask Sydney Sweeney how that works.
She refuses to go there, but the questions keep on coming.
GQ's Katherine Stoeffel Spends Over THREE MINUTES Trying to Get Sydney Sweeney to Apologize for Her “Great Jeans” Ad GQ: “The president Truth Socialed about the jeans ad … And I wondered what that was like?” SWEENEY: “It was surreal.” GQ: “I would probably feel thankful that some very powerful people had my back in public. I wondered if you felt that way?” SWEENEY: “I didn't have that feeling.” GQ: “There's a chance that somebody will get some idea about what you think about certain issues and feel like, I don't want to see Christy because of that. Do you worry about that?” SWEENEY: “No.” GQ: “Is there something that you want to say about the ad itself?” SWEENEY: “The ad spoke for itself.” GQ: “The criticism of the content was basically that maybe specifically in this political climate, white people shouldn't joke about genetic superiority … I just wanted to give you an opportunity to talk about that specifically.” SWEENEY: “I think that when I have an issue that I want to speak about, people will hear.”
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) November 7, 2025
The obvious context? Say Orange Man is oh, so Bad. That's the right answer, and the only answer according to the Left and the media, which David Brooks just confirmed is repeating ourselves.
The good news? Powell isn't alone in taking a stand against taking any stands. Dwayne Johnson recently did the same, several years after endorsing Joe Biden for president.
Tom Cruise avoids politics at all costs. Adam Sandler doesn't lecture fans on his ideological hot takes, assuming he has any.
Other stars have been more up-front about this posture. In recent months, Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin James and Michelle Yeoh all went the Full Switzerland when it comes to politics.
Ruffalo may never embrace that approach. The "Avengers" star is constantly weighing in on the latest headlines, from decrying the recent Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery merger to slamming Israel at every turn.
He holds the "approved" positions, so he keeps on working. Powell is still new to the Hollywood party, and he knows the "wrong" answer could see the industry rescind his invitation.
