Glen Powell Pitched Himself as Fox McCloud to Nintendo—and Actually Got the Role

Hollywood loves to pretend casting is some carefully curated process driven by vision and precision. But every once in a while, a story comes along that reminds you it’s still about passion. In this case, that passion came straight from Glen Powell for his role as Fox McCloud in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie.

According to a new interview with Shigeru Miyamoto And Chris Meledandri, Glen Powell didn’t just audition for Fox McCloud—he practically willed it into existence.

And somehow, it worked.

A Superfan Shoots His Shot

During production discussions between Illumination and Nintendo, the idea of bringing Star Fox into the Mario universe was already quietly being explored behind the scenes.

What they didn’t expect? Powell calling them up out of nowhere with the exact same idea.

Fox in Starfox 64 – Nintendo

As Illumination founder Chris Meledandri explained: “There were two phone calls that came from actors expressing incredible conviction and passion about being involved with Nintendo, and one of them was from Glen Powell. He explained that we had to understand how deeply he loved the character of Fox McCloud. His dream was one day to be part of a Star Fox movie.”

That means while Nintendo was internally debating whether Fox McCloud even belonged in this movie, Powell was already campaigning for the role like a fan who had been waiting his entire life for the opportunity.

Perfect Timing—or Something More?

What makes this story even more bizarre is just how perfectly Powell’s pitch lined up with ongoing conversations between Meledandri and Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto.

“I’m listening to this going, ‘he has no idea that Miyamoto-san and I are talking about Star Fox being in this new movie,’ and Glen is expressing this passion for this,” Meledandri said.

Fox McCloud in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie – Nintendo

Hollywood is full of stories about actors chasing roles. But it’s rare to see one essentially predict a major creative decision before it’s publicly known, then slide right into place when that decision becomes reality.

The Secret Casting Gamble

Once the decision was made to include Fox McCloud, Nintendo and Illumination didn’t want the surprise spoiled. That meant Powell had to be brought in under strict secrecy.

Fox McCloud – Nintendo

“When I called Glen back, I said, ‘Look, I want you to have a conversation, but it has to be completely secret, you cannot talk it to anyone,’” Meledandri said.

This was being treated like a reveal moment, something meant to hit audiences out of nowhere. And Powell was now part of that secret.

Why Glen Powell Fit Fox McCloud

Of course, passion alone doesn’t land you a role—at least not usually. But in this case, Meledandri made it clear that Powell wasn’t just enthusiastic. He was a natural fit.

“We felt that there was a Glen Powell kind of attitude to the character, and he feels perfectly suited to that role. It was one of those gifts,” Meledandri said.

Glen Powell – YouTube, GQ

Fox McCloud isn’t just another character—he’s a cocky, confident squad leader with a sharp edge, something Powell has leaned into across multiple performances. So this wasn’t just a fan getting lucky. It was a case where fandom and casting instincts actually aligned.

A Rare Win for Organic Casting

In an industry often criticized for feeling manufactured, this is one of those rare stories that feels… genuine.

You had an actor who actually loves the character, a creative team already considering the same idea, and a role that lands not through a calculated campaign, but through timing, enthusiasm, and a bit of luck.

Yoshi, Toad, and Mario and Luigi in the Super Mario Galaxy Movie Trailer – YouTube, Nintendo of America

More importantly, it signals something interesting about Nintendo’s approach. Unlike the old days—where their IPs were handed off with minimal involvement—this new era is clearly more collaborative, more deliberate, and, in cases like this, even willing to take a chance when the right energy shows up at the right time.

And for Glen Powell?

He didn’t just get cast. He called his shot—and Nintendo answered.

How do you feel about Glen Powell playing Fox McCloud? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

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