Alan Ritchson has addressed jokes about Jack Reacher not having a workout routine inReacher, explaining how its origins are actually from the books. Thestory ofReacherseason 3will see Ritchson’s character back in another high-octane investigation, this time going undercover to rescue a DEA informant from a dangerous criminal organization. The actor maintains his massive physique, reflecting the characters' description in Lee Child’s eponymous book series. His muscular stature has become a staple of his character, alongside the fact that he’s never shown working out during the TV show.
Speaking withGamesRadar+, Ritchson said he found it funny thatReachernever shows its title character working out, since it would be impossible to have a physique like that in real life without hours of training every day. The actor explained it’s the same in Child’s book series, with one scene showing the character stretching as being his only workout for the day. Check out what Ritchson had to say below:
It’s a little ridiculous with Reacher, I mean, but it’s funny. You got like this, like, you know, chiseled six-pack abs kind of physique in the books. And it’s like, of course he’s a unicorn, you know. No, you would never look like Reacher without hours of training.
[Jack Reacher author] Lee Child, like has a real sense of humor about it. There’s a book where he goes, he gets out of bed and he stretches, and he goes, ‘That’s the workout for the day.’
What Ritchson’s Sentiment Says About Reacher’s Physical Appearance
His Hulking Muscles Are Natural In-Universe
Ritchson’s statement confirmsReacher’s hulking appearance doesn’t require the character to work out in-universe, a far cry from the deliberate routine the actor goes through to keep his muscles massive. It makes othercharacters inReacherreacting to his physical attributes all the more entertaining, given the protagonist is just naturally gifted to appear the way he does without lifting a single weight. It also emphasizes the main hero’s intimidating abilities, with Child’s book series highlighting that same power with just one scene of him stretching.
Reacher Season 3’s Biggest Story Change Can Help It Avoid A Big Season 2 Mistake (That Its Netflix Rival Also Made)
Reacher season 2 and its Netflix rival made the same mistake, but the Amazon Prime Video show’s season 3 might avoid it after one major story change.
However,season 3 might prove he’s met his match with Paulie(Olivier Richters), who stands almost a foot taller than him and has a similar muscular appearance. While he’ll prove a challenge to the title character, he’s only one of many he’ll need to contend with, both in these upcoming episodes and the confirmedReacherseason 4. Since Ritchson has either maintained his physicality or gotten even bigger with every new season, the show will see him continue to maintain his structure as new challenges approach its hero.
Our Take On Reacher Having A Naturally Massive Physique
It Always Makes For Fun Moments Throughout The Show
Because Reacher’s physical appearance has been constantly acknowledged by a multitude of characters, it won’t be surprising for jokes to be dropped about how he doesn’t work out. Since it’s now been acknowledged by Ritchson, it seems like only a matter of time before that too becomes highlighted more readily throughout the series. SinceReacherseason 3 will already have an interaction like that between the main character and Paulie, more could be in store for its presentation going forward.
In addition toReacherseason 4, a spinoff,Neagley, is also set to start filming soon.
