Glen Powell just turned heads with his latest GQ cover, embracing a unique look that pushes the idea of a strong physique in a surprising way. He truly committed to the part for the magazine’s October issue, dubbed "New Masculinity." It hit digital stands on Tuesday, September 9.
The 36-year-old actor went all out for the shoot. He sported an over-the-top muscle suit, giving him impossibly huge biceps, thighs, and calves. He looked like something out of a comic book. GQ announced the issue on Instagram, calling it "a special report on the state of the American man in 2025." They said Powell’s interview would dive into today’s masculinity, what it means to be a leading man now, and other big topics.
On the cover itself, Powell has a serious expression. He’s wearing a simple white tank top and classic Calvin Klein boxer briefs. He cleverly tugs at his shirt, letting us peek at the muscle suit underneath. It gives him an almost superhero-like physique, hinting at a world where strength can be easily put on.
The Anyone But You star also played along in another photo. He pretended to get facial injections, lying on a metal table. Several hands hovered around him, holding glowing neon syringes and teeth-whitening tools near his face. He wore a crisp white Tom Ford shirt and a striped tie from GmbH, smiling big even with an oxygen mask on. It’s a playful jab at the lengths some go for "perfection."
Following that, we see a "perfected" Powell, looking like a politician fresh from endless treatments. His skin gleams, almost like plastic, with super sharp cheekbones. His hair is slicked back, not a single strand daring to move. He’s decked out in a Louis Vuitton blazer, a white Tom Ford dress shirt, and a bright red Brooks Brothers tie. Standing in front of an American flag, he finishes the look with a patriotic pin on his lapel.
Inside the magazine, Powell chatted about always playing the "cocky" guy. Think Ben from Anyone But You or Lieutenant Jake "Hangman" Seresin in Top Gun: Maverick. He’s been in that role a few times now. "I’ve never been the ‘cool guy’ in real life," Powell shared about himself. "It’s funny how you get typecast. Characters like Hangman? That’s not really me, you know? I’m not that person."
He also pointed out a truth about Hollywood. "You don’t really get to pick your parts," Powell explained. "Directors and studios decide who plays what. But I’ve noticed people really seem to enjoy watching me play those super confident, sometimes arrogant characters."