Lee Child has finally admitted what Jack Reacher fans have known since Tom Cruise was cast in the role of 2012’s Jack Reacher….size matters. Child, recently in an interview with the BBC Radio Manchester stated that there will be no more Jack Reacher movies starring Tom Cruise. Child said that there is a deal in the works to turn his novels (23) to date into a TV series. The TV series is said to be co-produced by Paramount Television and Skydance Television but that most important of all, they are said to this time be looking to cast an actor who more closely fits the size of the 6′ 5″ 250 lb ex Military Cop.
Lee Child:
“I really enjoyed working with Cruise. He’s a really, really nice guy. We had a lot of fun, But ultimately the readers are right. The size of Reacher is really, really important and it’s a big component of who he is… So what I’ve decided to do is – there won’t be any more movies with Tom Cruise. Instead we’re going to take it to Netflix or something like that. Long-form streaming television, with a completely new actor. We’re rebooting and starting over and we’re going to try and find the perfect guy.”
Indeed.
Rewind several years ago when we were all scratching our heads wondering why Lee was defending the casting of Tom Cruise.
Lee Child back in 2012 courtesy of NPR…
Lee Child hemmed and hawed a bit when asked to comment – “Honestly, I’m incredibly thrilled and grateful that anyone has an opinion at all” – but then he cut to the chase.
“Okay, he doesn’t look exactly right,” Child finally admitted. “But he sure does act like Reacher.” He went on to say that demand is only one side of the equation. There’s also supply to consider. “People are acting as if we marched past vast legions of 6’5″, 250-pound actors,” he says. “Nobody looks like that in Hollywood.”
So, apparently, now we have time to look for the ‘right’ actor. Gotcha. Look, Lee, I get it, you wanted to get that payday and you were willing to compromise the integrity of your character to do it (your pal Stephen King does it all the time). I like Tom Cruise as much as the next guy but you know damn well he had no business playing Jack Reacher. None. I’ve read 21 of your 23 novels and damn near every chapter mentions something about Reacher’s size. We didn’t make Reacher’s size a big deal you did. We just wanted you to be consistent.
I suppose it also doesn’t hurt that the Reacher franchise cooled down pretty quickly with the second film pulling in $56 Million less than the first one. But hey, I’ll take what I can get. Hopefully this time around you will adapt the books in order. That means The Killing Floor first folks.
I’m also looking forward to seeing the awesome (and sexy) Sergeant. Neagley.
Of course, these days they will probably turn the whole thing to crap by casting some big Samoan actor to play Jack Reacher.
Fingers crossed.
Source Deadline
