A new Jack Reacher TV show as been announced!
After playing the beloved character in two movies, Tom Cruise is retiring as Jack Reacher.
Bestselling author Lee Child, currently in Australia to promote the 23rd Jack Reacher novel (Past Tense), has announced that there will be no third Jack Reacher movie starring Tom Cruise. Instead, the Jack Reacher series is set to be adapted for TV, with a new actor in the main role.
This news has of course prompted a wave of jokes about Tom Cruises’ height. There was some fan outrage back in 2011 when Cruise was cast in the role of Jack Reacher. Famous for his intimidating size, Reacher is written to to be 6 foot 5 with “fists like Thanksgiving turkeys”.
Many fans considered Tom Cruise to be a bad choice for Jack Reacher, insisting that he was too short. (It also must be said that Tom Cruise seems to posses average sized human hands which bear no visible resemblance to Thanksgiving Turkeys.)
During an event yesterday at The Rook in Sydney (pictured below) , Lee Child prompted a wave of applause from fans when he announced he would endeavor to cast “the biggest motherf***er we can find” to play Jack Reacher in the upcoming TV show.
Meanwhile, many fans believe the perfect choice has already been found in Duncan Monroe – Australia’s own winner of the Jack Reacher Look-alike competition (pictured above in conversation with Lee Child.)
News of the new Jack Reacher TV show was first announced on BBC radio Manchester
“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 … but ultimately the readers are right: the size of Reacher is really, really important and it’s a big component of who he is.” – Lee Child
Child went on to say that Jack Reacher is such a large, intimidating presence that he makes people nervous simply by walking into a room, and that Tom Cruise – despite his great talent – simply doesn’t possess that physicality.
After the disappointment expressed by fans the last time Jack Reacher was adapted for the screen, Lee Child is encouraging people help find the next Reacher.
“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.” – Lee Child
It has been 21 years since the first Jack Reacher novel (The Killing Floor) was published. In that time Lee Child has grown to be one of the highest selling authors in the world. It is now estimated that a Jack Reacher book is sold to someone, somewhere in the world every 9 seconds.
Though there is no date announced for when the new TV show is expected to air, given the passionate fan base and enduring popularity of Lee Child’s books it’s guaranteed to be a massive success.
Past Tense was published on the 5th of November 2018 and is available to order now from Booktopia.
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Past Tense
Jack Reacher Series: Book 23
The EVENT publication of the year, the most hotly anticipated thriller of 2018, follows our hero Jack Reacher on a quest into his father's past, and climaxes in the most stomach-clenching, hair-raising, blood-curling, ticking-time-bomb of an adventure yet.
Jack Reacher plans to follow the autumn sun on an epic road trip across America, from Maine to California. He doesn’t get far. On a country road deep in the New England woods, he sees a sign to a place he has never been - the town where his father was born. He thinks, what’s one extra day? He takes the detour.
At the very same moment, close by, a car breaks down. Two young Canadians are trying to get to New York City to sell a treasure. They're stranded at a lonely motel in the middle of nowhere. It’s a strange place… but it’s all there is.
The next morning in the city clerk's office, Reacher asks about the old family home. He’s told no one named Reacher ever lived in that town. He knows his father never went back. Now he wonders, was he ever there in the first place?
So begins another nail-biting, adrenaline-fueled adventure for Reacher. The present can be tense, but the past can be worse. That’s for damn sure.
About the Contributor
Sarah McDuling
Sarah McDuling is Booktopia's Category Manager for Children's and Young Adult Books. She has been in the bookselling game for almost a decade and a dedicated booklover since birth (potentially longer). At her happiest when reading a book, Sarah also enjoys talking/writing/tweeting about books. In her spare time, she often likes to buy a lot of books and take photographs of books. You can follow her on Twitter and Instragram @sarahmcduling
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Comments
January 18, 2019 at 6:22 pm
I found Jack Reacher. His “real” name is Stu Bennett. He’s an English actor that exudes Reacher in just about every aspect!
April 21, 2019 at 1:37 pm
Awesome Books. Have read all of them. An ass kicking man with values. Always there to help someone whether he wanted to Or not. Clean books. Love them all. Can’t wait for the shows. Hoping the shows are just like the books, exactly…
May 15, 2019 at 10:46 pm
Jack Reacher I think should be Chris Hemsworth love the books of Jack Reacher can’t wait to get home put my feet up and start reading
June 9, 2019 at 11:16 am
I would fully endorse Dolph Lundgren as Jack Reacher. Ever since I’ve read Lee Childs Reacher books, I’ve always envisioned Dolph as being the guy Reacher would look like. Father time though isn’t waiting for Dolph.
July 28, 2019 at 4:46 pm
Look no further than Viggo Mortensen! He would be a fabulous JR
July 28, 2019 at 4:49 pm
Or Liam Neeson?
September 2, 2019 at 12:50 am
When I first scovered Jack Reacher I had this imaginary picture of him but couldn’t put any actors face .there until I was watching Graham Norton Show and in walked the face to fit …no one else will do it better than Hugh Jackman.
September 20, 2019 at 1:50 pm
We have listened to every Jack Reacher book during our vacation drives. It is something we really look forward to. But I have always imagined Chris Hemsworth. He’s tall, built, good looking and can do the scraggly hair really good. I don’t know if someone has already been picked, since this is an old article, but he would be my choice. 🙂
November 26, 2019 at 11:38 pm
Michael Dorman is your guy.
December 5, 2019 at 8:00 am
I can see Jim Caviezel as Jack Reacher.
December 16, 2019 at 6:30 am
I saw Joe Manganiello in Rampage and thought he would make a great Jack Reacher. He’s buff at 6’5″ and can definitely handle the physical aspects of the role. He would be perfect and he wouldn’t break the bank like hiring Dwayne Johnson or Chris Hemsworth would.
December 16, 2019 at 10:21 am
You are so stupid, all of you. Jack Reacher is better as being small or average. The greatness of the character is not having big hands, tall size, but freaking fantastic fighting skills. Like Bruce Lee, size does not matter by comprison. John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Clark Gable, etc. True fantastic aura-development is set in the books, by attitude not by size. For it is not the size of a man but what he does with it! (talent is so phucking rare these days.) Almost 30 books, two great movies, and Lee Child is about to make a huge mistake. Tom is worth every penny specially his character development scenes! NOT the guns, explosions, running or driving or falling scenes – damn it Lee, are you blind? It is the characters, unique story, unique circumstances, situations, so often resolved by wit-n-quickness everyone (emphasis) can relate to or dream to be so smart! Not as ‘being so large-tall’. Like movie developers of ‘Back to the Future’ Tom can be coordinated to save money, time, efforts and make three or four at a time. BUT, you will lose you audience by replacing Tom C with Paul Bunyan! Tom! Please. If the issue is money, tell Lee how you have proven to worth every penny x 1000. Millions, Billions. Call me. Bartholomew.Dave at gmail Thanks.
December 18, 2019 at 2:48 pm
I also liked Tom and thought he was perfect for the role. I only contributed another that I felt fit the bill once Tom was regretabably fired. I have yet to read another Lee Child Reacher novel until I see the new guy as Tom has left such an indelible impression on my mind and imagination.
January 3, 2020 at 9:23 pm
That guy Dave Bautista…he has it all…size, intimidation…an ability for a very quiet chuckle
March 11, 2020 at 10:01 pm
I always thought Nick Nolte was Reacher but if you take a look at the recent work of John Travolta he is Reacher. Go back to the Generals Daughter where he learned his chops as a military policeman Cheers from OZ
March 21, 2020 at 7:11 am
Tom Sellick is perfect for the part of Reacher !
April 1, 2020 at 12:32 am
LOL Selleck, Lundgren,Travolta???..absolute rubbish suggestions all too old by far, i liked Cruise in the movies he rocked the character except for the size.
Having said all that I don’t have a solid selection maybe they have chosen one by now anyway…just hope its not an old guy, late 40s should be the age limit.
April 22, 2020 at 2:22 pm
Nick Nolte. Without question.
June 4, 2020 at 8:31 am
Cruise did a great job but I never envisioned a 5’6″ dude as Jack Reacher. I Liam Neeson could lose the accent, he would be great.
July 2, 2020 at 5:37 am
Lots of good ideas. I think Child will make the best choice possible. JACK cannot be too old, as Child is still developing his character. He needs time to mature. Nor too handsome. But I agree he must be big, and not well known. We must not watch him and remember all the roles he has played before. Knock our socks off Mr. Childs!
July 18, 2020 at 3:18 am
Cole Hauser would be perfect.
October 25, 2020 at 4:15 am
I have read all of the jack reacher books. I had the perfect guy who would have been the perfect man to play reacher. He is 6’4 and 260 lbs of solid muscle. He’s an ex- army ranger with acting experience. When I read a new Reacher book, I instantly picture this person as Reacher. He would be great in this role if he were given a chance.
May 10, 2021 at 11:30 am
When the first movie was announced, staring Tom Cruise, I was one of the incensed fans. I really enjoy Tom’s movies; he’s a fantastic actor, however, in my mind he was never Jack Reacher. At that time I had sent an email to one of Lee Child’s reps suggesting he use a different actor for the part, as I had always imagined Vince Vaughn as Jack. He’s a great actor, I believe he’s 6′ 5″ and bulit like a brick house….and has a dry sense of humor! Love the guy. Anyway, that’s my two cents worth. Keep the books coming!! 🙂