Picture this: A rising Hollywood heartthrob, fresh off dazzling audiences in high-octane blockbusters, decides to tackle the role of a fallen football quarterback in a new TV series. But before he even steps onto the field, he's met with doubts from none other than a two-time Super Bowl champion. Intriguing, right? Well, that's exactly the buzz surrounding Glen Powell's latest project, and it's sparking all sorts of debates about talent, training, and whether movie stars can really pull off pro-level sports. Stick around, because this story has more twists than a playoff game.
In an exclusive clip from ABC News Live Prime's The Sitdown, shared exclusively with Decider, Glen Powell sat down with host Linsey Davis alongside legendary quarterback Eli Manning to chat about the challenges of bringing his Hulu series, Chad Powers, to life. Manning, who knows a thing or two about football prowess after leading the New York Giants to Super Bowl glory, admitted he was initially 'concerned' about Powell's athletic abilities after catching a glimpse of the actor's performance in Top Gun: Maverick. For those unfamiliar, Top Gun: Maverick is that adrenaline-pumping sequel where pilots soar through the skies, and Powell's character gets a chance to throw a football—though, according to Manning, it wasn't exactly a highlight reel moment.
'I thought he got better,' Manning quipped during the interview. 'We all saw him in Top Gun throwing, not his best performance I thought on the football. I was a little concerned when I saw that. I’m like, ‘Oh, we’re gonna have to spend so much money on football that this thing’s never gonna be successful.'' It's a lighthearted jab, but it raises an interesting point: Can someone famous for acting convincingly fake a sport, or does it take real skill to make it believable on screen? And this is the part most people miss—behind the scenes, Manning and his brother Peyton, both executive producers on Chad Powers, rolled up their sleeves to help Powell refine his technique.
Chad Powers follows Powell as Russ Holliday, a disgraced quarterback whose promising NFL dreams crumbled due to a grave error just as he was on the brink of stardom. Fast-forward eight years, and Holliday's plotting a comeback by slipping into a disguise and joining the underdog South Georgia Catfish team. It's a wild premise that blends comedy, redemption, and football drama, perfect for fans of shows like Ted Lasso but with a gridiron twist. Think of it as a satirical take on second chances—Holliday's not just faking it; he's reinventing himself in a way that pokes fun at the sport's superstitions and rivalries.
Manning revealed that he and Peyton focused on coaching Powell's 'cadence'—that's football lingo for the rhythm and timing a quarterback uses to call plays, like a secret code to outsmart the defense. It's a subtle but crucial detail that can make or break a player's performance, and for beginners, imagine it as the quarterback's personal beat in a high-stakes dance. But even Eli had to give credit where it was due: Powell eventually 'nailed' it, turning those early worries into a triumph.
Powell, ever the good sport, shared that discussions about his football chops were a constant during pitches for the show. 'The pitch always took a detour of us just giving each other shit about my throwing style,' he laughed. '[Eli’s] like, ‘Hey, you guys are gonna have to put in some more money for football training.'' It added a fun layer to the collaboration, with the Manning brothers offering 'super specific' tips on training drills and even inventing a quirky football superstition tailored just for Powell—something unique that felt authentic to the character's journey.
But here's where it gets controversial: Powell turned the tables, praising Eli's own acting debut in the series, where the former Giants star appears alongside Powell's real-life parents. Is it fair for athletes to critique actors, or vice versa? Some might argue that Manning's skepticism stems from a place of expertise, while others could see it as gatekeeping in Hollywood. After all, Powell's charm and charisma have carried him through roles in everything from rom-coms to action flicks—does that translate to sports? It's a debate worth having, especially as more celebrities blur the lines between entertainment and athletics.
The full interview airs tonight at 8 p.m. ET as part of ABC News Live Prime's new lineup of 30-minute Monday night specials. You can catch it streaming on ABC News Live, Disney+, or Hulu—talk about accessibility!
If you're eager to dive into Chad Powers yourself, the first two episodes are already up on Hulu, with new ones dropping every Tuesday. New to Hulu? Kick things off with a 30-day free trial on their basic ad-supported plan, which runs just $9.99/month after that. For an ad-free experience, it's $18.99/month. And if you're looking to bundle and save, check out the Disney+ Bundles that include Hulu—starting at $10.99/month for ad-supported access to both, or up to $29.99/month for ad-free Disney+, Hulu, and Max. It's a smart way to binge-watch without breaking the bank.
What do you think about all this? Do you believe Glen Powell's football skills hold up under scrutiny, or is Eli Manning's concern justified? Is the idea of an actor playing a quarterback inspiring, or does it undermine the authenticity of sports stories? Share your opinions in the comments—do you agree with Manning's take, or do you have a counterpoint? Let's discuss!
