Actor Glen Powell collaborated with director Richard Linklater to write his latest film Hit Man. In a new interview, the actor revealed that getting the green light for the film was not an easy process as it was rejected by most production houses. (Also read: Sydney Sweeney is very smart: Glen Powell on how he ran the successful ‘Anyone But You’ marketing campaign,
Recently, a Interview with ColliderGlenn talks about the process of making Hit Man and reflects on his journey as a writer in Hollywood.
The journey is not easy
During the interview, he was asked about the challenges he has faced as a writer in the past, including with his new film. He admitted that writers go through a tough time getting their projects greenlit.
“There are some writers at the studio level who are some of my favorite writers, but they never get credit, and every time I read their scripts I think, this is unbelievable. They’re so talented. But Hollywood doesn’t hire based on merit,” Glenn said.
He added, “Thousands of people have to say yes to bring this film to the screen. What was really interesting about this film (Hit Man) is having a filmmaker like Richard Linklater involved. It’s a huge thing because people can see what the film is going to be like and it will be a little different.”
However, things were different for Hit Man as “everyone said no initially”, he said, adding that he made the film independently.
In fact, the actor revealed that the rejection by others left the film’s team in a dilemma, as they knew the potential of the project.
Calling it a ‘genre mashup’, he explained, “We had an opportunity to do something really original, something that we really felt had something worth saying, something that was exciting and sexy and had thrilling and romantic elements.”
Regarding his learnings from this experience, Glenn said that it taught him to trust his instincts and that pursuing something has a “worthwhile purpose”.
More info about Hit Man
Starring Adria Argiona, Retta, Austin Amelio, Molly Bernard and Mike Markoff, the Netflix film is written by Linklater, Powell and Skip Hollandsworth. It follows a professor who works as a kind of hitman for his city’s police department, who descends into dangerous, shady territory when he finds himself attracted to a woman who enlisted his services.
Talking about work, Glenn rocked the box office last year with Sony’s romantic comedy Anyone But You. He was also seen in the blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick alongside Tom Cruise. He also plays the lead role in the tentpole Twisters.