Glen Powell, whose career has soared with hits like Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, was slated to star in Tesseract, an original sci-fi film from acclaimed writer-director Sam Esmail, known for Mr. Robot and Leave the World Behind. However, according to Matthew Belloni's detailed report in Puck, Powell ultimately exited the Amazon MGM Studios project due to concerns over the script.

The behind-the-scenes drama reportedly intensified when Esmail, who also developed the project, sought assistance from CAA — the agency representing both himself and Powell at the time. Esmail believed he had Powell secured for the lead role, but as script issues arose, he turned to CAA chief Bryan Lourd for a resolution. Despite what Esmail understood to be assurances that the situation was being managed, the script concerns for Powell were not adequately addressed, leading to his eventual departure from Tesseract.

This turn of events had immediate repercussions for Esmail's own representation. Following the breakdown in communication and the unresolved issues surrounding Powell's involvement, Esmail reportedly made the move to leave CAA and sign with rival agency WME (William Morris Endeavor). This kind of high-profile agency switch, especially tied to a specific project dispute, is a notable event in Hollywood circles.

Tesseract remains a project shrouded in typical Esmail-esque secrecy regarding its plot, but with Powell initially attached, it was considered a priority for Amazon MGM Studios. Producers on the film include United Artists' Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt, alongside Esmail and Chad Hamilton of Esmail Corp. Powell and Dan Cohen's company, Barnstorm, were also in talks to join as producers when he was set to star.

Powell's schedule remains packed despite his exit from Tesseract. He recently wrapped filming on J.J. Abrams' science fantasy The Great Beyond (set for an October 2027 release) and is currently working on Judd Apatow's comedy The Comeback King, which began production in April 2026 and is slated for February 2027. His production company, Barnstorm, is also developing a Lou Gehrig biopic, which will see him reunite with Hit Man and Everybody Wants Some!! director Richard Linklater.

For Tesseract, Esmail and Amazon MGM Studios will now need to search for a new lead to bring the mysterious sci-fi vision to life, as the project navigates the aftermath of this significant talent shift.