Tom Cruise tricked Top Gun co-star into thinking helicopter was crashing over London in unhinged prank-Brooke Ivey Johnson-Entertainment – Metro

Glen Powell has revealed that Tom Cruise pretended to lose control of a helicopter as a prank (Picture: Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic)

Tom Cruise doesn’t just do his own stunts, he also sometimes ropes in co-conspirators – willing or not.

In a recent interview, 35-year-old actor Glen Powell opened up about a heart-stopping prank pulled by Tom Cruise during the filming of the blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick.

Powell, who plays Lt. Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin in the film, revealed that Cruise once pretended to lose control of a helicopter they were flying in, plummeting over the city of London.

The incident occurred as the duo was returning to London after reshoots at Pinewood Studios. Powell recounted the moment to GQ with a mix of terror and admiration.

‘Tom goes, “Oh no, oh no,” and he starts dropping the helicopter over London,’ Powell shared.

Powell recalled thinking, ‘Am I about to be the unnamed guy that dies with Tom in a smoking hole in the middle of London?’

Cruise was flying Powell in his helicopter when the gag occurred (Credits: Jordan Crosby / BACKGRID)

Cruise is known for doing all his own stunts, even the most risky (Picture: Kevin McDonald/Bav Media/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite the brief scare, Powell’s respect for Cruise only grew. He described the Mission: Impossible star as deeply knowledgeable about every aspect of film production.

‘I got to watch a guy who knew every department. He was able to clearly interface with everyone, be so friendly and respectful, and be able to communicate that vision,’ Powell said.

Cruise, known for his commitment to performing his own stunts, including piloting aircraft, has long been an inspiration to Powell, who is a licensed pilot himself.

Powell played Lt. Jake ‘Hangman’ Seresin in the hit film (Picture: Paramount/Everett/REX/Shutterstock)

Despite the prank, Powell spoke of his enormous admiration for Cruise (Picture: Getty Images)

However, Powell humbly noted that his own flying experience pales in comparison to Cruise’s exploits. ‘I’ve flown friends cross-country to a number of US cities, but Tom owns a helicopter and flies actual jets.’

The camaraderie between the two actors extended beyond their on-screen roles, blossoming into a genuine friendship rooted in their shared passion for film. Powell described them as ‘kindred spirits,’ highlighting the bond they developed during the intense production of the film.

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