Glen Powell almost didn't play Hangman in Top Gun: Maverick, and both the role and movie are much better because of his change of heart. The 2022 sequel to Top Gun catches up with Tom Cruise's Pete "Maverick" Mitchell as he trains a new crop of pilots for a dangerous mission, one of which is Powell's Jake "Hangman" Seresin. Powell originally auditioned for the role of Rooster, which ended up going to Miles Teller, and was offered the part of Hangman, then called "Slayer." At first, Powell wasn't interested in the role, believing Hangman to be two-dimensional and without purpose. Luckily for Top Gun: Maverick, Powell accepted the role, improving the character of Hangman immensely.
On the page, Hangman is a relatively static character, but Glen Powell manages to overcome his concerns about the role to give a strong performance in the Top Gun follow-up. In addition, Powell contributed to the evolution of Hangman, making Hangman a perfect foil to Miles Teller's Rooster. In the hands of a lesser actor, Hangman could have been a flat, forgettable antagonist, but because Powell was convinced to play the role, Hangman became an integral part of Top Gun: Maverick.
Why Glen Powell Is So Perfect As Hangman
When Glen Powell was offered the role of Hangman, the character was initially called "Slayer." When Powell signed on to do the part, he was involved in several creative decisions that helped evolve the character beyond a two-dimensional antagonistic recruit, including changing his name to Hangman. Phoenix explains the meaning behind Hangman's name, stating that he's called Hangman because "[he] will always leave you out to dry." Hangman ultimately proves Phoenix's assessment wrong when he rescues Rooster and Maverick at the end of Top Gun: Maverick. Through Hangman's name change, Powell gave him an arc beyond just being Rooster's rival (something easily could have been all he was), which is part of why he is so perfect for the role.
Outside the creative changes Powell brought to the role of Hangman, he also elevated his role as a rival/antagonist to Rooster. On the surface, Hangman is cocky and occasionally rude to his fellow pilots, but Powell brings charisma to the role, making him likable. He and Miles Teller's real rivalry for Rooster's role also created great chemistry that echoed that of Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer from the first Top Gun, making them believable rivals. This, along with Powell's charm, makes it even more satisfying when he saves Rooster and Maverick. Powell's charisma and chemistry with the rest of the cast is largely why the "two-dimensional" character of Hangman has been so well-received.
Hangman Was Key To Making Top Gun: Maverick Work
Glen Powell's Hangman is a pivotal part of what makes Top Gun: Maverick work so well, not just because he saves the main characters at the end. Hangman adds a dynamic that the new TOPGUN recruits need, particularly Rooster. Though Rooster already had plenty of conflict with Maverick in the Top Gun sequel to carry the movie, his rivalry with Hangman helped facilitate much of Rooster's growth as a pilot. Hangman and Rooster's relationship in the film is also a great callback to that between Maverick and Iceman, one that feels both familiar yet puts a different spin on the storyline. Ultimately, this is the charm of both Hangman and Top Gun: Maverick, which helps make the latter a worthy follow-up to the beloved original.