Glen Powell experienced 'male insecurity' on Top Gun: Maverick set

Glen Powell believes there was more "male insecurity" on the set of Top Gun: Maverick than on any other film he has worked on.

During an interview for the latest issue of Men's Health magazine, the Hidden Figures actor reflected on the intense training required for the production of the new Tom Cruise movie - the sequel to 1986's Top Gun - and confessed a shirtless football scene elicited the most trepidation from the stars.

"In the days leading up, there was more male insecurity than you've ever seen on any set ever," Glen, who plays mission trainee pilot Lieutenant Jake "Hangman" Seresin, told the publication, before adding jokingly: "And probably more coconut oil than even on Magic Mike."

And Jay Ellis, who plays Lieutenant Reuben "Payback" Fitch, noted that every aspect of the project was physically demanding.

"You're telling the pilot, 'I need the sun at six o'clock.' You're also telling the pilot where to position the plane and what manoeuvres we need to fly for the film," he said, referencing the practical stunts that required him to work with a real pilot. "There are scenes where many of my castmates and I are truly pulling seven Gs in the back of an F-18, cameras rolling, and we're acting through it."

Elsewhere, Danny Ramirez - who plays Lieutenant Mickey "Fanboy" Garcia - recalled how he was always nervous to fly with Glen.

"Glen is all smiles, more smiles in a minute than you've had the whole week. The next thing I know, he's pushing the throttle forward and we're up in the sky. It's bigger than a trust fall. Way bigger," he laughed.

Top Gun: Maverick opens in U.S. cinemas on 27 May.