Greg Tarzan Davis signs on for psychological thriller Snare after blockbuster franchise roles

Greg Tarzan Davis has become Hollywood’s go-to action star in recent years, but his latest role shows a different side.

After earning recognition in blockbuster franchises like Top Gun: Maverick and Mission: Impossible, Davis isn’t just sticking to high-octane action.

He’s diving into the unsettling world of psychological horror with his latest role in Snare, a thriller that promises to showcase a side of him audiences haven’t seen before.

Let’s break down everything surrounding his casting in this chilling new project and what it could mean for his career trajectory.

A New Chapter for Hollywood’s Rising Star

The actor who flew fighter jets in Top Gun Maverick and performed death-defying stunts in Mission Impossible is now diving into the unsettling world of psychological horror. His career trajectory proves he’s more than just an action hero.

According to Deadline, Davis has officially joined the cast of Snare, a psychological thriller set to film in Los Angeles this winter. The project marks a significant departure from his blockbuster franchise work. He will star opposite Sonja O’Hara, who co-wrote and will co-direct the film with Adam Hoelzel.

For fans wondering what comes next, Davis has plenty on his plate beyond this chilling new role. His journey from teaching first graders to becoming Tom Cruise’s protégé reads like a Hollywood dream. But it’s his willingness to take risks that truly sets him apart from other rising stars.

What Snare Is All About

The film follows Ro, a brilliant mycologist haunted by fears of cancer recurrence, who becomes trapped in a dangerous love triangle. Davis plays one of the romantic interests who pulls Ro deeper into obsession.

O’Hara praised Davis’s casting in a statement, emphasizing his range beyond action roles. She stated, “Tarzan is a remarkable actor with that rare ability to make an audience feel completely safe.” The directors believe he’s going to steal every scene in this psychological exploration.

The film recently participated in the 2025 Tribeca Creators Market and Tribeca Vital Stories Summit. Production will begin in Los Angeles within the coming months. The project is produced by MARS alongside Independent Spirit Award winner Corey Moosa under the A Group of Ferrets banner.

Wicked star Marissa Bode has also joined the cast and will serve as an executive producer. Snare represents a bold, creative choice for Davis, who has primarily been known for high-octane action sequences. His willingness to explore psychological horror shows artistic ambition beyond typical franchise work.

The Mission Impossible and Top Gun Star Everyone Is Talking About

Davis first caught Hollywood’s attention playing Lieutenant Javy Coyote Machado in Top Gun: Maverick. The 2022 blockbuster became a cultural phenomenon and the highest-grossing film of Tom Cruise’s career. His role started as a background character but expanded significantly during filming.

The Top Gun experience led directly to his next major franchise role. Davis joined Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One in 2023, playing the character Degas. Working with Cruise on two massive franchises back to back accelerated his career exponentially.

Davis underwent intense physical training for both franchises, including flying in real F/A-18 fighter jets. His athletic background, including a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo, prepared him for the demanding stunts. The beach volleyball scene in Top Gun: Maverick required strict dieting and daily swim training.

A Teacher Who Followed His Own Advice to Chase Dreams

Before Hollywood came calling, Davis was teaching first grade in his hometown of New Orleans. He graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in Elementary Education. His original goal was to become an elementary school teacher, not an action star.

Davis told Fox News, “I used to preach to my students that they can be whatever they want.” One student asked what he wanted to be when he grew up. When Davis said he wanted to be a teacher, the student called him out. That moment of brutal honesty from a child made him realize he was being a hypocrite.

Davis had always dreamed of acting since childhood, but let that goal fall to the wayside. He gave himself two years to make it in Hollywood or return to teaching. He researched how to jumpstart an acting career through YouTube videos.

His breakthrough came when a casting director called him for an Empire audition in Chicago. Davis drove overnight from New Orleans because he couldn’t afford the expensive flight ticket. That hustle led to booking Chicago P.D., then a pilot, and eventually his move to Los Angeles.

What This Means for His Future

Davis has positioned himself as one of Hollywood’s most exciting young talents to watch. His combination of action credentials, dramatic range, and Tom Cruise’s mentorship creates a powerful foundation.

The action star to character actor pipeline has worked for performers like Matt Damon and Chris Evans. Davis seems to be following a similar blueprint with intentional career choices. His New Orleans roots and teaching background give him relatability that pure Hollywood products lack.

Industry insiders are already comparing his trajectory to other Cruise protégés who went on to major success. The mentorship alone opens doors that typically take decades to access.

Combined with his work ethic, athletic ability, and natural charisma, Davis has all the necessary ingredients. Whether Snare becomes a breakout critical success or remains a respectable indie effort, it signals ambition.

TL;DR

• Greg Tarzan Davis has joined the psychological thriller Snare, filming in Los Angeles this winter.
• The film follows a mycologist trapped in a love triangle spiraling into body horror.
• Wicked star Marissa Bode co-stars and will executive produce the Tribeca-backed project.
• Davis became famous playing Coyote in Top Gun Maverick and Degas in Mission Impossible.
• He was a first-grade teacher in New Orleans before pursuing a career in acting two years later.
• A student’s honest question about his childhood dreams convinced him to chase Hollywood.

If you liked this, don’t forget to follow us for more stories and news like this one.

If you liked this, you might also like:

• Apple original film ‘Sponsor’ adds John C. Reilly opposite Jason Segel in psychological drama
• ‘Tumor’: Sam Rockwell and Maisy Stella join Will Bridges’ new psychological thriller

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.