Glen Powell Says of His Small Role in THE DARK KNIGHT RISES "I'm Just Very Grateful That [Christopher Nolan] Took a Shot"

Glen Powell is at the top of many A-list projects these days, and with roles in films like Hidden Figures, Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man, and Twisters, he has made a name for himself as a leading man. But he might not have gotten to where he is without the help of director Christopher Nolan.

Powell played the small role of Trader #1 in The Dark Knight Rises, and he knew that despite being so low on the call sheet, this was a major jump in his career. Being able to put a Christopher Nolan movie on your resume improves your odds in a big way, because if the meticulous director found something special in your acting ability, other casting directors take heed.

Powell was asked in a recent interview with Vanity Fair what he remembered about the experience, and he fondly recalled:

“I remember everything. You never forget the feeling. It’s something I carry to every set I walk on now, which is just the reverence for being on a set in general.

“But I remember on Dark Knight Rises the feeling of being able to walk onto a set and you knew everybody in the world wanted to be on that set, right?”

He went on: “Even though it was a small role, I auditioned several times for it. I was getting to work with the greatest director on the planet, Christopher Nolan. And you’re sitting there and all of a sudden Tom Hardy walks in as Bane.

“It’s electric. It’s sort of out-of-body. That was one of those movies when nothing was going on in my life. I was just fighting for every inch. And when Christopher Nolan casts you in his movie, it’s a validation that’s hard to explain. And I’ve talked to Chris about this.

“We’ve run into each other at different things. I saw him during his amazing Oppenheimer run, and he’s very proud that he plucked me early. I’m just very grateful that he took a shot.”

Powell was humbled by the experience, and his success since then hasn’t made him forget it. He has a bright future in Hollywood, and I look forward to seeing what other projects he will choose.