Glen Powell has shut down recent suggestions that his universal appeal is greater than that of another Hollywood star: Ryan Gosling. While the actor has emerged as the go-to guy for movie projects lately, with some making comparisons between Powell and his Top Gun: Maverick co-star Tom Cruise as a man who can make the box office sizzle by his name alone, the actor isn’t about to get big-headed about it. So when an unnamed producer suggested that Powell has more universal appeal than Gosling, and indicated that the latter only appeals to women, Powell took to social media to shut that down politely.
All of this started when the producer made a note that Powell had officially arrived as a movie star, saying, “Audiences now go to movies to see him,” but wrapped that up with a bit of shade towards Gosling when they added, “Unlike an actor like Ryan Gosling whose appeal is mostly limited to female audiences, Glen appears to both females and males.” Like any true movie star, Powell kept it classy in his response on his X page by responding, “Gosling is a legend. I’m just Glen.” With more than a passing nod to Gosling’s catchy Oscar-nominated song from the hit film, Barbie, “I’m Just Ken,” the matter is ended just like that.
Ryan Gosling Appeals to a Variety of Audiences
Gosling certainly has movie star appeal, but he has spread himself across genres and projects that show many facets of his talent. He has shown a knack for offbeat roles (Lars and the Real Girl), hard-hitting dramas (Blue Valentine), light comedy and romantic fare (Crazy, Stupid, Love), artsy action films (Drive) and popcorn tentpole releases (Barbie, The Fall Guy). His name may not always have guaranteed box office success, but feels limiting to say that his appeal falls squarely with women.
That’s not to say that Powell isn’t crafting a career path of his own that indicates a performer who also has strong box office prowess. Top Gun: Maverick would’ve been a big hit with or without him, but it certainly helped as a stepping stone to a strong run of movies. The true test of his appeal came when he starred with Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You, a film that defied the odds to become one of the biggest theatrical rom-coms in years. Following that up with Hit Man, even though it was a Netflix release, was also a smart move because he co-wrote the project, and it showcased his range in a single performance that garnered him stellar reviews. This summer, he brought back old-school disaster movie thrills when Twisters became another big hit with Powell’s name attached to it.
Powell does have a charisma that seems to make him appeal to both genders, much like Cruise, who appears to be a big inspiration in how he has shaped his career so far. He also has many more projects lined up to test his box office strength with audiences, including Edgar Wright’s remake of The Running Man, a project with J.J. Abrams, the A24 film Huntington, and possibly a remake of Heaven Can Wait. For those who want to watch Powell at home, there is even the Hulu comedy series Chad Powers on deck. Needless to say, he’s a very busy guy, but there is also room for both him and Gosling in a crowded field of actors.