Tom Cruise is in talks to play Jack Reacher, the 6-foot-5 tough guy created by author Lee Child. And Child says he doesn’t mind that the actor, 10 inches shorter and perhaps a bit older than his fictional killer, may take on the role.
“Reacher’s size in the books is a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise portrays in his own way,” Child said, according to Deadline Hollywood, which has an exclusive report on the potential film deal.
There is some rumblings about the height issue, but not with me so much. The author is okay with Cruise, that’s good enough for me. Besides, I recall the days when folks said Cruise was all wrong for LeStat and he turned out to be great in Interview With A Vampire. We have also heard in the past folks upset over a character being cast with an actor or two who may not what fans of those characters may expect…but they turn out to be fine.
I think Cruise has done his share of action flicks, be it the M:I series, Collateral or Minority Report. One more isn’t a “Reach”.
And yes, I am a Jack Reacher /Lee Child fan…
Anyone else?
This is dreadful, The last person who should have been considered for the role. Reacher is BIG and TOUGH. If Tom Cruise was any shorter he wouldn’t be abls to reach the ground. Jason Momoa or Hugh Jackman get my vote.
SPOILER I have read most of the Reacher series- They are entertaining but I never thought they were particularly fantastic books- they are annoyingly unrealistic- I just finished 61 hours and it turns out Reacher survives an Arson attack that not even a Boeing 747 attacks- but Tom Cruise playing Reacher is a bigger joke than that. From a woman’s perspective even if Cruise were 8 inches tall her is too much of a pretty boy- the point about Reacher is that he isn’t supposed to be attractive, he is supposed to have this rugged manliness that makes women swoon- not floppy hair and charming blue eyes. I think he is a difficult character to cast- but looks wise- having never seen him act that ludgen guy looks perfect! Otherwise I guess acting wise Clive Owen or Daniel Craig would have been good.
Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher must be the worst piece of casting since John Wayne played Ghengis Khan
The character of Reacher is that you think he’s just this big dumb guy who would would blunder his way in – the misconception is one of the plot point during hsi encounter with other characters… Cruise is not the ideal and little too old to be convincing – better would be someone like Ryan Reynolds or Dwayne Johnson
Well Tom Cruise may well be a big Hollywood star (and I am a fan) but I’ve always pictured someone like lint EAstwood in the role. Cerebral powerful intelligent and someone you wouldn’t want to mess with. If they could find someone like that!
Well, not to disrespect, because I have no earthly idea who Jack Reacher is, but when you’re talking about a big man in Hollywood, the first one I picture is Dwayne Johnson. Besides being serious eye candy, his acting has improved over the years. Would he fit the bill as this character you guys are talking about??
Hi Angela,
Having read all the Jack Reacher series of novels which started with ‘Without Fail’ and then worked back the way to the ‘Killing Floor’ I could see the actor Woody Harrleson (‘The Money Train and Natural Born Killers) playing the role of Jack Reacher…simply because he has the height and that although he does have the ‘looks’ of a ‘glamour boy’actor e.g Brad Pitt, but still have the personality to make women swoon and men want to be the character. Would you agree or not?
P.S. To have Tom Cruise play the part of Jack Reacher is a joke, after all the character is 6’ 5” in the books and for the author to say that the height of Jack Reacher as a metaphor, does not add-up and believe that future sales of the books would decline… after-all does any reader want to see the face and build of Tom Cruise, when they are reading a new Jack Reacher adventure… I do not, I would rather see this movie cancelled and see the character as I see him in my imagination.
Tom Cruise is the last actor that I would think of to play Jack Reacher. Daniel Craig has the name and the acting skills for this character.
Perhaps they are treating this project as a comedy. My choice for a really serious Reacher is Thomas Jane of HUNG fame.
This is a no-brainer. Ray Stevenson has the height, size and can act, check him out in the HBO/BBC series Rome and he can do an american accent.
I can’t think of an actor who would be worse for Jack Reacher than Tom Cruise. They’ve got to be able to come up with someone better.
Nothing against Tome Cruise or his acting, but part of the Reacher persona is that Jack is a BIG man. He intimidates and is able to avoid trouble with others just by his size and demeanor. I don’t see that fear factor in Tom Cruise’ previous roles.
If this first movie (and it isn’t the first book) becomes a success, there is a huge possibility that more of Lee Child’s books will be made into sequels. That is why it is very important to get the right actor for Reachers character. It would help the series continue on to other books.
I must have missed this on the first read through but I do believe there is a mistake.
“Hollywood knocks, wants to make the first Reacher book, One Shot, into a feature.”
One Shot isn’t the first Reacher book. The Killing Floor is.
You’re right – KILLING FLOOR was the first Reacher book – but they’re starting with #5 ONE SHOT. But – hey-why not? Makes more sense than casting Tom Cruise as Reacher. I find it so ironic that it was us (“The Readers”) who made Lee Childs successful ($) with this series, but we’re now being portrayed as crack-pots for being so vocal about this issue by the non-readers. Don’t think this movie would even be possible without “our” support over the years, it’s just disgusting.
impossible tom cruise for reacher!!! 6’5″ 250 lbs! cruise might push 5’7″ 170. ridiculous. i’d rather keep the picture in my head than see this. another sell out.
For some reason i always picture a Vin Diesel with hair hahaha don’t really care for tom for reacher but forget it like someone else say whatever it takes to see reacher on the big screen
If they need a tall, physically buff man, why don’t they go with Brandon Routh? He’s cheap, and while not the greatest actor, can’t be worse than Tom Cruise.
I like Routh…”he’s cheap”…that’s funny.
hahahahaha this is funny. Dolph would have been perfect,
I love the Jack Reacher series! Every time I read a Reacher book, I see Dolph Lundgren in my head. Physically, Dolph is a perfect match.
If this is the only way to get a Reacher book adapted to the big screen, then I’ll give Tom Cruise a “shot.”
I just googled Lundgren and he would be perfect! And I am sorry I just don’t see Cruise doing Reacher justice! Of course child is happy- he has TOM CRUISE in his movie! Even if the movie sucks he will create a buzz! Why wouldn’t you be happy? But I am sorry Jack Reacher deserves better.