Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher novels, confirmed what audiences have been saying about the movies: Tom Cruise is too short to play Jack.
EW reports that Child says a deal is in place to adapt the series as a TV show, with a fresh face in the lead role.
The report quotes Child saying in an interview with BBC Radio Manchester host Mike Sweeney: “I really enjoyed working with Cruise. He’s a really, really nice guy. We had a lot of fun and he works really hard and he takes it really seriously. On your downtime you do crazy things with him, but ultimately the readers are right: The size of Reacher is really, really important and it’s a big component of who he is.”
Child added: “The idea is that when Reacher walks into a room, you’re all a little bit nervous just for that first minute. And Cruise, for all his talent, didn’t have that physicality.”
Child is also quoted saying: “There won’t be any more movies with Tom Cruise. Instead we’re gonna take it to Netflix or something like that — long-form streaming television — with a completely new actor. And I want all those readers who were upset about Tom Cruise to help me out. Participate in choosing the right actor for the TV series. We’re rebooting and starting over and we’re going to try and find the perfect guy.”
Child can be reached through his Facebook page by clicking here.
Hey –
While Tom might me small in stature and huge on the screen …
you are quite small for other reasons …
Big mistake not using Tom …
The physicality of Jack Reacher is a huge part of the story and his persona. I like Tom Cruise, and I’ve read all the Reacher books, and Tom Cruise is just not Jack Reacher by any stretch of the imagination. Could PeeWee Herman play Clark Gabel? Some things just don’t work.
Heightism. A new form of discrimination. Where is political correctness when it is needed? With proper angles Tom can be as tall as the director wants. And there is always CG.
Having read all the Reacher books I always thought Tom Cruise was a mistake. Not that I don’t like Tom, I do, but Reacher should be imposing in size. Gerard Butler comes to mind. Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Liam Neeson, O’Loughlin (Hawaiii 5-0), are a few big guys I can think of.
John Cena could be a great Jack Reacher
Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe are little guys as well – seen them all at premiers. Gerard is bigger (taller). Most of them are smaller than you think – even Arnie!
I agree that Reacher’s size is important . I was watching a movie tonight “The Iceman ” the lead was played by Michael Corbett Shannon. According to Wikipedia he is 6’4″ and 44 years old which would seem to fit Jack Reacher very well.
Alexander skarsrgard would be a choice…or the guy in the new gm truck commercial..(singing nana…nananas…etc..) standing on the pickup bed would be a good choice also…. ??