Jack Reacher – Alan Ritchson gets the lead role in the new TV series

While I did enjoy the first Jack Reacher movie and the way Tom Cruise brought about the character’s intensity, he did lack the physical characteristics.

As author Lee Child describes him, Jack Reacher is a 6’5” man with “a six-pack like a cobbled city street, a chest like a suit of NFL armor, biceps like basketballs, and subcutaneous fat like a kleenex tissue.”

Therefore, the casting news (via Deadline) that 6’2″ Alan Ritchson (Hawk in the Titans TV role) will be playing Jack is rather fitting. I’ve always enjoyed Ritchson’s performance in the various things he has starred in. It will be interesting to see what he does with a lead role such as this.

Amazon Studios is behind the new drama series based on the character from Lee Child’s international bestselling series of books, which is published in 49 languages and 101 territories and has sold 100 million books to date. Produced by Amazon Studios, Skydance Television and Paramount Television Studios, the television series will be written by Nick Santora (Scorpion, Prison Break), who will also executive produce and serve as showrunner for the series. The first season will be based on the first Jack Reacher novel, “The Killing Floor.”

“Lee Child has created an incredible character and world; it will be the goal of every writer, producer, actor, executive and crew member to capture the essence of Mr. Child’s books – and luckily Lee has been there, and will continue to be there, to help guide us along the way in this series. He is the pulse of Reacher,” said Santora.

“It’s been great so far, but really, the fun starts here. By now I know these guys, and Reacher is in the perfect hands, believe me,” said Child.

“Lee Child’s Jack Reacher books series is a global phenomenon with one of entertainment’s most well-known heroes, and a perfect fit for Amazon Studios’ slate of bold, character-driven series,” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “We look forward to expanding the of the Jack Reacher universe and bringing more thrilling action to our Amazon Prime Video audience.”

In addition to Santora, the series will be executive produced by Lee Child, Don Granger, Scott Sullivan and Christopher McQuarrie, with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Marcy Ross executive producing for Skydance. Carolyn Harris oversees the series for Skydance.

How do you feel about Ritchson playing Jack Reacher?