Glen Powell avoids politics because he ‘does not like the discourse’ after 'The Running Man' flop

Glen Powell has opened up about why he avoids discussing politics publicly, saying he does not like the divisive nature of political discourse and believes his focus should remain elsewhere.

The actor discussed his approach to politics in a new profile, explaining that although he grew up in a family with political connections, current affairs were rarely discussed around the dinner table. His mother, Cyndy Powell, worked in the Reagan administration at the US Treasury Department, but Powell said politics interests him even less now.

“Over time, I realised that politics divide people,” Powell said. “People trying to prove their point—for me, it’s the worst version of a conversation. I genuinely do not like the discourse. It’s not as healthy as it once was.”

Powell said he does not currently see himself engaging in political discussions, although he respects people who choose to speak out about issues they believe in.

“Engaging, then, for him is ‘not presently possible,’” he said. “I applaud people for jumping into those things and fighting for what they believe in. If I were a political person, I would be talking about it. For me, my calling is elsewhere.”

His comments come as Powell reflects on a particularly difficult period in his career, including the demanding production of The Running Man and the film’s disappointing box-office performance.

Powell revealed that he suffered a serious hand injury while filming the Edgar Wright-directed action film after a stunt involving a retractable prop knife went wrong. He ruptured a tendon and later discovered he had developed a septic infection, requiring emergency surgery. Despite doctors warning him about the seriousness of the injury, Powell returned to filming almost immediately.

The actor also addressed the weak ticket sales for The Running Man, pointing to upheaval at Paramount during its merger as one factor behind the film's underwhelming theatrical run. Powell said the studio had laid off its entire marketing department about a month before the film's release.

The film ultimately underperformed despite high expectations, while Powell's next film, the A24 thriller How to Make a Killing, also received limited attention. Looking back, he said the experience taught him that there was no need to rush projects.

The setbacks prompted Powell to reconsider his relentless work schedule and the pressure he had placed on himself. He said he had begun asking whether he should “keep sprinting” and admitted that he had started to feel nihilistic during the period.

Powell has since continued building an increasingly busy slate. He is set to star in Judd Apatow’s The Comeback King and J.J. Abrams’ The Great Beyond, while also continuing his work on Chad Powers.

Despite the setbacks, Powell remains committed to filmmaking and said he believes in the projects he is making. His comments suggest that, rather than entering political debates, he would prefer to put his energy into the work itself and his growing career behind and in front of the camera.