London [UK]: Nearly three decades after Jack Reacher first appeared in Killing Floor (1997), Lee Child’s iconic action hero has become a global phenomenon, inspiring multiple film and television adaptations.
From Tom Cruise’s portrayal in Jack Reacher (2012) and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2016) to Alan Ritchson’s version in the Prime Video series, Reacher has evolved across different mediums. With the third season of Reacher now streaming, Lee Child shared his thoughts on the character’s journey, casting choices, and the series’ success in an exclusive interaction with media.
On Jack Reacher’s Global Success
Reflecting on Reacher’s rise to worldwide fame, Lee Child expressed his amazement at how far the character has come.
“I hoped I wanted it to be as successful, but you can’t expect it because it’s so unpredictable. Nobody knows. And I’m thrilled that it turned out that he is all around the world now and people know him and like him. But it feels very strange. In 1997, I was sitting at my dining room table, writing with a pencil. And now it’s huge. It’s a big thrill for me.”
On Tom Cruise’s Casting as Jack Reacher
Discussing the earlier film adaptations starring Tom Cruise, Lee Child admitted that while working with Cruise was enjoyable, the actor was not an ideal fit for the character.
“Well, I loved working with Tom. He’s a lovely man, and it was a thrill and a pleasure to work with him. But what we needed was the huge size because Reacher, part of his whole personality, is that he’s very big. Therefore, he doesn’t really have to worry about certain things. And we needed that, I think, to be convincing.”
On Alan Ritchson as the Perfect Reacher
Child praised Alan Ritchson, who took on the role in the streaming series, for his dedication and deep understanding of the character.
“Alan is a great actor, and he works very hard. He has captured Reacher perfectly from my point of view. I see him, and I think that is what I wanted. That is what I imagined. And so I think that’s a tribute to his skill, not only as an actor but also as a thinker. He’s read the books, he’s studied the books, he’s worked out what Reacher is, and he has the ability to put that on the screen. And so I think he’s perfect. He’s a little bit handsome.”
Reacher Season 3: An Adaptation of Persuader
The latest season of Reacher is based on Persuader, the seventh book in Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series. Directed by Sam Hill and Gary Fleder, the show stars Maria Sten, Sonya Cassidy, Johnny Berchtold, Roberto Montesinos, Olivier Richters, Brian Tee, and Anthony Michael Hall in pivotal roles.
With Prime Video’s adaptation gaining massive popularity, Jack Reacher continues to be a fan-favorite character, proving that Child’s original vision still resonates with audiences worldwide.