Tom Clancy’s Super Spy has been gracing screens since 1990, when he was played by Alec Baldwin in Clear and present dangerand each Jack Ryan film and TV show have since seen the titular character with a different job. Many actors have played Jack Ryan, with Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine, and John Krasinski all donning his combat boots. This gave audiences varying interpretations of this heroic and complex character.
In all your adventures, Jack Ryan took on many roles in the CIA, as well as the Marines and various financial companies. A master of all trades, his intelligence, courage and innovative thinking took him from entry-level analyst to some of the highest-ranking positions within the Agency. Whatever role he took on, Jack RyanAll of Ram’s films and TV shows have seen the character go above and beyond to ensure that all the hostages are saved and that any disaster is averted.
9
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Intelligence Analyst, Author, Professor
Adapted from Clancy’s best-selling novel, the film is set at the end of the Cold War and largely takes place deep under the sea in secret submarines. Jack Ryan (Alec Baldwin) is a professor of Naval History at the United States Naval Academy and turned CIA analyst. He is also a published naval historian and former U.S. Marine.
He is called in to help advise on the case of a missing Soviet submarine.Red October, and applies all his statistical knowledge to help determine the possible intentions of the captain of the missing ship.
The Hunt for Red October is a 1990 spy thriller film directed by John McTiernan and based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name. The film sees the United States searching for a rogue submarine that is nearly undetectable thanks to special technology.
- Release date
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March 2, 1990
- Execution time
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135 minutes
He correctly deduces that Ramius (Sean Connery) plans to divert to the US and boards the US Navy ship to lead the negotiations. His actions directly impact the outcome of the film, helping to save the lives of a group of well-meaning men and ultimately preventing a nuclear disaster.
8
Patriot Games (1992)
Semi-retired, Teacher, Knight of the Royal Victorian Order
Jack Ryan (Harrison Ford) CIA retired film begins, on “working vacation” in Londonin this 1992 adaptation of Clancy’s novel of the same name. He heroically intervenes in an IRA terrorist plot, which leads him to return to the Agency after his family is attacked in retaliation.
This episode of the series also shows Ryan more as a family man, focusing on his relationships with his wife, Cathy, and daughter Sally.
His help in saving Lord Holmes (James Fox) also leads to him receiving a knighthood. This episode of the series also shows Ryan as more of a family man, focusing on his relationships with his wife, Cathy (Anne Archer), and daughter Sally (Thora Birch).
Patriot Games is a political thriller directed by Phillip Noyce, based on the novel by Tom Clancy. Harrison Ford stars as Jack Ryan, a former CIA analyst who becomes embroiled in an international conflict after foiling an IRA attack in London. This event sets off a chain of violent retaliations, forcing Ryan and his family into a battle for their lives. The film also features Anne Archer, James Earl Jones and Sean Bean in pivotal roles.
- Director
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Phillip Noyce
- Release date
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June 5, 1992
- Execution time
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117 minutes
The reason for his return to the CIA is based on the need to protect them and the film’s final scene also teases a new addition on the way. Exploring this connection with his family adds another layer of depth to his character, allowing the audience to sympathize and understand the reasoning behind many of his actions, whether professional or personal.
7
Clear and Present Danger (1994)
Interim Deputy Director, Negotiator
As Admiral James Greer (James Earl Jones) takes leave for cancer treatmentJack Ryan (Harrison Ford) is named his temporary replacement. His full title is: Acting Deputy Director (Intelligence) (DDI) of the CIA, and with this new elevated rank, he uncovers a secret conspiracy deep within his organization.
As part of one of his responsibilities, he asks Congress for help to finance the Colombian fight against drug cartels, something that becomes something of a turning point for the entire film. Due to his now higher position, Ryan is also sent to Colombia as a negotiator on behalf of the US government.
Clear And Present Danger is a political thriller based on the Tom Clancy novel, where Jack Ryan, played by Harrison Ford, is appointed deputy director of the CIA. He uncovers a conspiracy involving the US president and a Colombian drug cartel, leading to a dangerous game of cat and mouse.
- Director
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Phillip Noyce
- Release date
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August 3, 1994
- Execution time
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141 minutes
After layers of deception and betrayed loyalties are uncovered, Ryan leads a secret mission in Bogotáwith the help of CIA agent Jack Clark (Willem Defoe). At the end of the film, Jack Ryan testifies before the Congressional Oversight Committee, against the president’s wishes, leaving his career status open.
6
The Sum of All Fears (2002)
CIA analyst
The film was conceived as a reboot of the seriesstill using Clancy’s original material, but instead of continuing the timeline, everything is reset. In Ben Affleck’s version of Jack Ryan, he plays a younger version of the character, and audiences are introduced to him as a CIA analyst.
He accompanies Director Cabot (Morgan Freeman) on a mission to Moscow, Russia. While there isn’t much new information about Ryan’s backstory, his role in the CIA is conveniently vague. He is an analyst who ends up commanding an operation that prevents a nuclear attack.
The Sum of All Fears is the fourth film in the Jack Ryan film series, starring Ben Affleck as the CIA analyst. The film, released in 2002, follows Ryan as he uncovers a plot to start a war between the United States and Russia, sparked by a rogue Russian officer seeking revenge.
- Director
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Phil Alden Robinson
- Release date
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May 31, 2002
- Execution time
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124 minutes
He can reach the National Military Command Center and has close access to the White House. It is clear that the film was intended to be the first of manyand wanted to give Ryan room to grow in his role and rise through the ranks of the Agency.
5
Jack Ryan: Dark Recruit (2014)
Student, US Marine, CIA recruit, spy, financial auditor
Kenneth Branagh directed this second restart attemptwhich used characters created by Tom Clancy, but did not follow the plot of any particular novel. Chris Pine takes on the role of Jack Ryan and begins his journey as a student at the London School of Economics. He then becomes an American
Marine, serving in Afghanistan, but is seriously injured during a rescue operation trying to save some of his fellow Marines. After a long recovery period, Jack is recruited by a veteran CIA agent (Kevin Costner) and joins the organization. The film employs several time jumps during its run, and audiences encounter Ryan, now an undercover spy, working as an auditor on Wall Street.
The 2014 spy thriller Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit is the first original film based on Tom Clancy’s famous character. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, it follows Ryan as he uncovers a Russian plot to destroy the US economy. Chris Pine stars alongside Keira Knightley, Kevin Costner and Branagh.
- Release date
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January 17, 2014
- Execution time
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105 minutes
While investigating suspicious transactions, he uncovers a connection to a Russian oligarch that leads to an exciting operation in Moscow. With probably the largest number of action sequences in the franchise so farPine’s youth and physical strength are on full display. As the credits roll, Ryan is called to the White House, implying that a promotion may be on the cards.
4
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, season 1 (2018)
PhD, US Marine, financier, CIA junior analyst, field agent
John Krasinski took the reins of this Amazon Prime series. As in the previous source material, Jack Ryan has a PhD in economics that led him to a private bank on Wall Street, and is a former US Marine turned CIA recruit. His experience as a second lieutenant and infantry officer comes in handy when a mission takes him into the field.
A new adaptation of the popular book series, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan follows the titular character as he goes from CIA analyst to being thrown into the middle of a conspiracy that threatens to uproot the world and its status quo. When Jack stumbles upon strange bank transfers during routine analysis, he is thrown from the comfort of his desk job into the world of action, espionage, and political intrigue to investigate. But unfortunately, Jack’s search for answers will take him into the heart of a dangerous terrorist network that seeks to destabilize the United States and its allies.
- Release date
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August 31, 2018
- Seasons
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4
- Network
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Amazon Prime Video
While working as a financial analyst at the Terrorist Financing and Weapons Division in Washington, D.C., he discovers suspicious transactions potentially linked to a terrorist group in Yemen. After a series of dangerous missions in the Middle East with James Greer (Wendell Pierce), he manages to thwart a terrorist plot on American soil, thus saving the President of the United States.
Because of his heroic work, Ryan is offered the position of head of the Terror, Finance and Weapons Division.
Because of your heroic work, Ryan is offered a position as head of the Terror, Finance and Weapons Division. Meanwhile, Greer offers him a job in Moscow to work for him, but the audience is left wondering what choice he will make in this Season 1 cliffhanger.
3
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Season 2 (2019)
Political Advisor, Diplomatic Delegate, Unemployed, Super Spy
In the show’s second season, it is revealed that Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) is working for his senator friend in Washington, D.C., where he advises several politicians. He is then sent on a diplomatic visit to Venezuela to investigate a weapons shipment. Things quickly get worse as Jack teams up with his friend Greer (Wendell Pierce) and they play a role in overthrowing a corrupt political regime..
Ryan has been relieved of his official duties by the US government, but continues to conduct his investigation in his mission to uncover the truth. He works closely with the UK’s MI-5 as well as German intelligence, and after another successful mission, he appears to be drawn back into the Agency.
2
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Season 3 (2022)
CIA field agent, potential bulldozer
Stationed in Europe, Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) discovers a potential nuclear threatwhich turns out to be part of a conspiracy to bring back the Soviet Union. For most of the season, Ryan goes rogue, working with old assets and running from his station chief (Betty Gabriel), who he believes is responsible for the death of a Greek police officer.
Although he is widely believed to have committed treason, his paths eventually cross those of his close allies. Ultimately, with the joint efforts of Jack Ryan and James Greer (Wendell Pierce), they are able to prevent the start of World War III. The friends and colleagues end up returning to the United States as heroes, where they are both presented with the Intelligence Star from the Central Intelligence Agency.
1
Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Season 4 (2022)
Acting Deputy Director
Krasinski returns in Jack Ryan 4th season as Acting Deputy Director to new CIA Director Elizabeth Wright (Beth Gabriel). The two withdraw funding for a covert drug cartel operation in Mexico, which is linked to a series of events that include fraud within the CIA and a potential international disaster.
The series was not based on any of the novels, instead combining existing characters from the Clancy universe with current world affairs. Despite his high rating, Jack Ryan is by no means tied to his desk. He travels the world interrogating criminals, infiltrating cartels and even being tortured.
As he inevitably saves the world, he once again exposes an even more powerful government official (a senator), effectively gaining the president’s favor. Krasinski is said to be reprising this role in the next Jack Ryan film, but it is unknown what level and rank the spy will be at then.