Glen Powell is expanding his creative footprint across both sports cinema and dark comedy, with multiple high-profile projects moving through development according to recent industry reports. Alongside a previously noted biographical feature centered on baseball legend Lou Gehrig under the direction of Richard Linklater, Powell’s slate includes prominent cinematic territory exploring crime, class, and satire.
Powell Expands Creative Footprint
Reimagining a British Classic
Among those upcoming titles is How to Make a Killing, a film noir throwback directed by John Ford that draws loose inspiration from the 1949 British comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets. While the original movie was deeply rooted in British classism, the new adaptation relocates the narrative framework to feel distinctly American, according to cast members speaking on the production.
“It’s funny how the original is so deeply entrenched in British classism, yet how incredibly John has made it feel so American,” observes Jessica Henwick, who portrays Ruth in the film, a character drawn to the protagonist despite lacking traditional corporate ambition.
Satire and Socioeconomic Mobility
The film explores socioeconomic structures and mobility through a comedic and murderous lens, dispatching characters frequently while maintaining a distinct tone. Zach Woods, who plays the Redfellow family member Noah, notes the thematic juxtaposition between British and American socioeconomic structures, referencing comparative studies on class mobility.
“There’s less barriers to socioeconomic advancement in a place where you can grow up three hundred yards from a place and have a totally different accent than your neighbor, yet still even there it’s easier to get ahead,” Woods states regarding the cultural dynamics explored in the script.
Evangelists and Self-Help Gurus
The narrative targets various archetypes along the way, including characters who have transitioned into modern spiritual and secular leadership. Topher Grace stars as a member of the Redfellow family who operates as a Christian rock evangelist with a massive mega-church following.
“I’ve always been fascinated, even before I got the role, with not only religious leaders but also self-help gurus,” Grace explains regarding his preparation for the role. “Basically it’s under the banner of anyone who gets up in front of the rest of the world and says, ‘I can show you how to lead a better life.’ I always thought that was hilarious, and then on top of it, there were a couple real specific people that I watched closely, and to me it’s endlessly hilarious because it’s so ironic.”
Noir Throwback and Production Timelines
The film also features Margaret Qualley in the role of a classic femme fatale, anchoring the 1940s cinematic throwback style within a modern satirical framework. Production timelines and distribution schedules for both the Lou Gehrig biographical project with Richard Linklater and How to Make a Killing continue to develop as casting and principal photography milestones are reached.
