Considering ReachRegarding the future of Amazon Prime Video, it looks like Alan Ritchson will easily break Tom Cruise's record. Based on Lee Child Jack Reacher books, both the Amazon show and the two films starring Tom Cruise have presented their opinions on Jack Reacher. While both experienced some level of success with adapting Lee Child's stories, one of them appears to have achieved much more from a critical and commercial standpoint.
THE Tom Cruise the films got off to a decent start when the first Jack Reacher The film grossed nearly $220 million against a budget of $60 million. Its sequel, however, failed to make its mark at the box office after barely earning enough to break even. Even the critical reception of both films remained mixed. Amazon Reachin contrast, it performed exceptionally well critically and commercially. Not only is it becoming one of Prime Video's most valuable IPs, but it also has a score above 90% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes. Alan Ritchson's portrayal of Reacher also breaks a record set by Tom Cruise.
Alan Ritchson will be Reacher for over 4 years when season 4 arrives
He'll be playing Jack Reacher for a lot longer than Tom Cruise
Although Tom Cruise's first Jack Reacher film debuted in 2012, its sequel hit the big screen 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, began playing the character in 2022. Although he has only played the character for a little over three years, he will eventually break Tom Cruise's Jack Reacher streak. Reacher'The return after season 4 has already been confirmed. This suggests that, after Reach season 3 arrives on Prime Video in 2025, the show will receive another installment.
While Ritchson is already considered synonymous with the character following his performance in seasons 1 and 2, his continued involvement with the series in the coming years will further solidify his association with the role.
Most details around Reach season 4 remains unrevealed. However, considering the show's release schedule, it could be released in 2026. By 2026, Alan Ritchson will have played the character Lee Child for over four years, making him the oldest live-action actor to play Jack Reacher. While Ritchson is already considered synonymous with the character following his performance in seasons 1 and 2, his continued involvement with the series in the coming years will further solidify his association with the role.
Alan Ritchson's run as Jack Reacher is already more impressive than Tom Cruise's
Your opinion on the character was most appreciated
These days, Tom Cruise appears to have more years as Jack Reacher. However, when it comes to screen time, Ritchson is way ahead because of the Amazon show's television format. Ritchson's portrayal of the character was also more appreciated by most viewers and critics because he looked the part. Perfectly aligning with Lee Child's character descriptions, Alan Ritchson is incredibly tall and muscular. He also has a solid screen presence and convincingly portrays Jack Reacher's brute strength and invincibility.
With his strengths as an actor, Tom Cruise also did a commendable job in portraying the fictional character. However, many followers of Lee Child's works were disappointed with his casting because Jack Reacher's colossal stature is one of the main markers of his identity in the books. Without his height and broad frame, Jack Reacher would be just any other fictional detective or action hero. This makes Alan Ritchson's performance as Jack Reacher much more impressive than Tom Cruise's.
What Prime Video's Reacher Show Got Right That Tom Cruise's Movies Didn't
The show didn't stray too far from the books
THE Jack Reacher the Prime Video films and program took significant creative liberties when adapting Lee Child's works. Their deviations also make sense because it is nearly impossible to accurately translate written content into the audiovisual medium of storytelling. However, the films received the most hate because they took these narrative changes a little too far. Although the show remained faithful to the essence of Lee Child's books, the Jack Reacher the films couldn't even get the casting right.
|
Film/Program |
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score |
Rotten Tomatoes audience score |
|
Jack Reacher (2012) |
64% |
67% |
|
Jack Reacher: Never Come Back (2016) |
37% |
42% |
|
Reach Season 1 (2022) |
92% |
91% |
|
Reach Season 2 (2023) |
98% |
78% |
Despite having Lee Child Never come back in its title, the second Jack Reacher the film also proved to be much more formulaic and off-putting than its source, contributing to its relatively low box office numbers. Since the original Jack Reacher The novels follow a serialized format, with each new installment following an independent story, The films' limited runtime prevented them from fully capturing the layers of all the books' stories. Amazon Reachon the other hand, there's enough time in each season to explore everything from Jack Reacher's side missions to his short-lived romantic endeavors.