Tom Cruise’s Midair Prank on Glen Powell: A Heart-Stopping Helicopter Joke During Top Gun: Maverick Reshoots

During the high-flying production of Top Gun: Maverick, Tom Cruise’s penchant for daring stunts extended beyond the camera—and into the cockpit. A recently recounted incident reveals that Cruise, while piloting a helicopter, pulled a heart-stopping prank on co-star Glen Powell that left the younger actor genuinely fearing for his life.

A Sudden “Crash” Over London

The incident occurred during a reshoot flight ferrying Powell back to London from Pinewood Studios, just 18 miles outside the city, likely in 2021 or early 2022 as the film neared its May 2022 release. According to Powell’s interview with British GQ, Cruise unexpectedly dropped the helicopter’s altitude and began exclaiming, “Oh no, oh no,” feigning a crash scenario mid-flight.

Powell’s reaction was immediate and intense. “I was like, ‘Am I about to be the unnamed guy that dies with Tom in a smoking hole in the middle of London?’” he recalled, underscoring the genuine fear the stunt induced. Moments later, Cruise burst out laughing, revealing the whole thing to be a prank. Both men landed safely with no harm done.

Cruise’s Dual Role: Pilot and Mentor

Tom Cruise is well-known for performing many of his own stunts, holding a pilot’s license and flying planes and helicopters during filming for Mission: Impossible and Top Gun. His hands-on approach adds authenticity but also reveals a playful side, as this prank illustrates.

Glen Powell, who plays Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin, was personally brought into Top Gun: Maverick by Cruise after impressing him at audition, despite initially reading for a different role. The two have since developed a mentor-mentee relationship, with Cruise even providing Powell with an extensive “film school” crash course video, highlighting the close bond they share beyond the set.

Context Within Top Gun: Maverick

This prank happened during logistical travel associated with reshoots—not during filming itself—as the production sought to perfect one of 2022’s highest-grossing movies, which earned nearly $1.5 billion worldwide. Cruise’s comfort flying helicopters is well-documented; for instance, he performed a demanding 360-degree corkscrew dive for Mission: Impossible — Fallout, training intensively to do so.

While the prank was intense enough to spook Powell, Cruise’s experience as a pilot meant the stunt was executed safely, showcasing the actor’s unique blend of skill and showmanship.

This midair prank is a vivid snapshot of the camaraderie and trust behind the scenes of Top Gun: Maverick, illustrating Tom Cruise’s fearless—and sometimes mischievous—approach to filmmaking. For Glen Powell, it was a terrifying moment turned memorable story, cementing the duo’s bond as they soared both on and off the screen.