ConsideringReacher’s future on Amazon Prime Video, it looks like Alan Ritchson will easily break a Tom Cruise record. Based onLee Child’sJack Reacherbooks, both the Amazon show and the twoTom Cruise-starring moviespresented their takes on Jack Reacher. While both experienced some level of success with their adaptation of Lee Child’s stories, one seems to have accomplished a lot more from a critical and commercial standpoint.
TheTom Cruisemovies had a decent start when the firstJack Reacherflick earned almost $220 million against a budget of $60 million. Its sequel, however, failed to leave its mark at the box office after barely earning enough to break even. Even the critical reception for both films remained mixed. Amazon’sReacher, in contrast, has performed exceptionally well critically and commercially. It is not only becoming one of Prime Video’s most valuable IPs but also boasts an above 90% Rotten Tomatoes critics score.Alan Ritchson’s portrayal of Reacheralso breaks a record set by Tom Cruise.
Alan Ritchson Will Have Been Reacher For Over 4 Years By The Time Season 4 Drops
He Will Be Playing Jack Reacher Far Longer Than Tom Cruise
WhileTom Cruise’s firstJack Reachermoviepremiered in 2012, its sequel hit the big screens four years later in 2016. This allowed Tom Cruise to remain the live-action Jack Reacher for four long years. Alan Ritchson, on the other hand, started playing the character in 2022. Although he has only played the character for a little over three years so far, he will eventually break Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher streak.Reacher’s return after season 4 has already been confirmed. This suggests that, afterReacherseason 3 lands on Prime Video in 2025, the show will receive another installment.
Although Ritchson is already considered synonymous with the character after his portrayal in seasons 1 and 2, his continued involvement with the series for years to come will further solidify his association with the role.
Most details surroundingReacherseason 4 remain undisclosed. However, considering the show’s release schedule, it could be released sometime in 2026. By 2026, Alan Ritchson will have played the Lee Child character for more than four years,making him the longest-running live-action actor to portray Jack Reacher. Although Ritchson is already considered synonymous with the character after his portrayal in seasons 1 and 2, his continued involvement with the series for years to come will further solidify his association with the role.
Alan Ritchson’s Run As Jack Reacher Is Already More Impressive Than Tom Cruise’s
His Take On The Character Has Been Appreciated More
Presently, Tom Cruise seems to have a greater number of years under his belt as Jack Reacher. However, when it comes to screen time, Ritchson is far ahead because of the Amazon show’s television format. Ritchson’s portrayal of the character has also been appreciated more by most viewers and critics because he looks the part. Perfectly aligning with Lee Child’s descriptions of the character, Alan Ritchson is incredibly tall and muscle-bound. He also has a solid screen presence and convincingly portrays Jack Reacher’s brute strength and invincibility.
Jack Reacher’s Backstory Fully Explained: Family, Military Service & Why He Never Stays In One Place
A detailed breakdown of everything from Jack Reacher’s familial relationships to his military background and past as the Special Investigators' leader
With his acting forte, Tom Cruise, too, did a commendable job of portraying the fictional character. However, many followers of Lee Child’s works were disappointed with his casting becauseJack Reacher’s colossal stature is one of the primary markers of his identity in the books. Without his height and wide frame, Jack Reacher would just be any other fictional detective or action hero. This makes Alan Ritchson’s run as Jack Reacher far more impressive than Tom Cruise’s.
What Prime Video’s Reacher Show Got Right That The Tom Cruise Movies Didn’t
The Show Did Not Drift Too Far From The Books
TheJack Reachermovies and the Prime Video show have taken significant creative liberties while adapting Lee Child’s works. Their deviations also make sense because it is nearly impossible to accurately translate written content to the audiovisual storytelling medium. However, the movies received more hate because they took these narrative changes a little too far. While the show has remained true to the essence of Lee Child’s books, theJack Reachermovies could not even get the casting right.
64%
67%
37%
42%
ReacherSeason 1 (2022)
92%
91%
ReacherSeason 2 (2023)
98%
78%
Despite having Lee Child’sNever Go Backin its title, the secondJack Reachermovie also proved to be far more formulaic and underwhelming than its source, contributing to its relatively low box office numbers. Since the originalJack Reachernovels follow a serialized format, with each new installment following a standalone story,the movies' limited runtime prevented them from fully capturing the layers of all stories in the books. Amazon’sReacher, in contrast, has enough time in each season to explore everything from Jack Reacher’s side quests to his short-lived romantic endeavors.
Reacher
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
Jack Reacher
After a mass shooting takes place, homicide investigator Jack Reacher digs into the case to hunt down the sniper who committed the heinous act. Jack Reacher stars Tom Cruise as the titular character and was directed by Christopher McQuarrie. The success of the 2012 film led to a sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, releasing in 2016.
