Tom Cruise Told Glen Powell to ‘Film Yourself’ Sprinting for ‘The Running Man’: ‘You Don’t Look as Cool as You Think You Do’

variety.com:

Carolyn Giardina In preparing for his role in Paramount’s upcoming thriller “The Running Man,” Glen Powell says his first call was to his mentor, Tom Cruise, who is also well known for his running style.

Powell said on Thursday at CinemaCon that he was advised, “film yourself running as soon as possible. You don’t look as cool as you think you do,” which got a big laugh from the audience. “The Running Man” star joined director Edgar Wright and cast members Josh Brolin and Colman Domingo to discuss the upcoming action thriller (production wrapped last week) and the theatrical experience, in conversation with Rotten Tomatoes editor Jacqueline Coley.

Powell said his enthusiasm for cinema was elevated further from watching his friend Cruise. “He’s a guy that doesn’t hide his excitement about what this means, you know, the theatrical experience, and working hard and investing and putting your body on the line to entertain audiences.” Wright received applause when he shared his own love of the cinema, saying “as a director, I’m an audience member first and foremost.

To make films you have to be the audience as well.” He added, “What I think as a filmmaker, is you are always chasing that electric fleeling that you had watching a film [in a theater with an audience.]” The director related that his first cinema experience, at a very young age, was “Star Wars.” “You remember the imprint in your brain when you saw that film with a packed house.” Brolin also remembered visiting the cinema as a child and the “profound impact” of seeing a movie in a theater. “It’s a personal experience and when the lights go down, you are available to the power of story.