[Update: June 13, 2011. You are not going to believe this. Casting news updated, click here for details. Seriously, be prepared to cry]
[Update: April 21, 2011. Still no new hard news regarding a possible Reacher movie. All of the information below is still technically correct. Lee Child did add this to the FAQ on his official site:
December 2010: Lee got a call from producer Don Granger at the movie studio, and things seem to be very positive and optimistic ... we're very close to seeing One Shot greenlighted, he thinks. Christopher McQuarrie's screenplay is an absolute knockout, he says ... and they had a preliminary casting conversation. Details are still confidential, of course, but some very interesting names were mentioned. Fingers crossed.
And this is very little new indeed. Keep checking back as we will update the information as we get it. - Dale]
[Update: January 6, 2011. Thank you to everyone that comes across this post searching for news on an upcoming movie based on the character Jack Reacher created by best selling author Lee Child. There has been no additional news regarding the movie as of this date, however as soon as more information comes available we will share what we find as quickly as possible. Drew McWeeny from HitFlix more or less shares my opinion that Dwayne Johnson may fit the bill. For the time being, why not let us know who you think should play Reacher in a big screen adaptation in the comments below? - DC]
Christopher McQuarrie screenwriter of The Usual Suspects, Valkyrie, and Wolverine 2 as well as director of The Way of the Gun is in talks to write and direct a big screen adaptation of Lee Child’s One Shot. I’ve read each of the Reacher books (and featured the most recent on Summer Reading) and have long thought One Shot would be one of the easiest to adapt for a feature movie.
A plot summary from LeeChild.com
Jack Reacher is working on his tan with a Norwegian blonde on the beach in Miami. The weather is hot and he is so cool you could skate on him. But he doesn’t like to stick around. He likes to be on the move. He was in the machine his whole life. Then the machine coughed and spat him out. Now he takes it easy. He’s not looking for trouble. But sometimes trouble looks for Reacher.
A lone gunman hides in a parking garage and shoots into a crowd in a public plaza in a small Indiana city. Five random people die in a senseless massacre. The shooter leaves a perfect trail behind him and the police quickly track him down. His name is James Barr. It’s a watertight case. After his arrest, James Barr refuses to talk. Then, to his lawyer, he utters a single phrase: “Get Jack Reacher for me.” But Reacher’s already on his way. What could connect this obvious psychopath with our wandering ex-army cop?
By the time Reacher hits town, Barr’s been beaten badly enough to forget everything about the day in question. So Reacher begins to piece together the wealth of evidence; he does the math and comes to a few conclusions of his own.
I’m very pleased by this news. If I were asked to come up with a list of names of screenwriters or directors for a Reacher property, McQuarrie would not have made my brainstorm. However, looking back on McQuarrie’s resume, I can definitely see how he could write a sharp, smart, and action-packed script for a Reacher movie.
Any screenwriter will have the herculean task of finding a way to balance the brute and the brains of the Reacher character. He’s a highly trained ex-military hand to hand combat specialist, Military Police investigator, and a decorated sniper (which of course comes to play in the plot summary above). Discovering an actor to play Reacher will be a challenge as well. Reacher’s physicality is equally important as his brains, but deductive reasoning can be… well, deduced by the viewer; a large and intimidating presence must be just that.
I’m on record with my feelings that Dwayne Johnson would be a good candidate. He’s never been asked to do subdued in an action movie – but I think he could pull it off. And at the times that Reacher’s smartassness shows through, what actor could be better?
Who do you think could play Reacher?
Thanks to BeyondHollywood.
Ooo, good choice for which story to make into a movie there. Especially if they stick with the resolution too.
I do have to wonder if Johnson could convey the right amount of cool, though. Whether he could be unflappable enough.
Josh Holloway has the look, but isn’t big enough.
About 20 years ago, Clancy Brown would have been PERFECT.
How about Chris Hemsworth, the guy playing Thor? I think he could pull off the look…and he’s 6’4″…pretty close.
mickey rourke would be the perfect jack reacher
Josh Holloway IS Jack Reacher. I love how, in one of the Reacher books, there had to be a dozen times that Lee Child wrote, “Reacher said nothing.” I loved it! I could picture Josh Holloway’s dimple while he stared right into the bad guys’ faces. Love him! Please consider him!
I say Ryan Hurst.
What about Alexander Skarsgard he is tall blond and has blue eyes. I know he may be a little young but, I think he would be good.
Holt McCallany! He looks the part, the right age, the right unflappable expression,.Dwayne Johnson is all wrong.
have read every Jack Reacher installment, and they are absolutely addictive, and brilliant. Finally, a hero who doesn’t get his butt kicked by the bad guys, and pull victory barely from the jaws of defeat. I have long wondered why noone created a hero character who always wins, and usually does it with ease. Maybe it’s not the most realistic scenario for one man to be so invincible, or hardly break a sweat while dispensing no nonsense justice to bad guys everywhere, but it sure is fun to read. It’s about time they bring it to the big screen. From the first book I read, I thought Dwayne Johnson is the only man to play him. I have been waiting for a reacher films forever it seems, and if they have the good sense to cast Johnson in the role, stay true to the character, and feel of the story, I’m hard pressed to think it would be anything less than a huge, blockbuster success of a series. But that’s just my humble opinion as a huge fan of Jack Reacher, Lee Child, and Dwayne Johnson.
Duane Johnson has a lot of positives, but I don’t think he can pull off the quiet intelligence required in Reacher.
after reading the comments posted, I hardly think there is an actor today with the physical size to play reacher other than Johnson. The blonde hair blue eyes aspect of the character is nowhere near as important as the size and brute force Reacher brings to the table. What makes Reacher such a great character to my mind, is the fact that he dispatches any and everyone with ease. No matter the odds, he knows the outcome in his head, before the action ever goes down. If the movies are to even attempt to capture the appeal of the books, then they absolutely have to stay true to Reachers dominance over every enemy he faces. The books constantly refer to his size and strength, to impart what a true force reacher is. He’s not the baddest badass on the planet because he’s blonde and blue eyed, but because he’s huge, strong, quick, agile, and knows how to use it. He doesn’t wait and react, he strikes fast, hard, and first. With zero mercy. These are the qualities that make him so effective. Johnson has all the physical size, agility, and athletic ability this role requires to stay true. I’m not a wrestling fan, but those guys are very good athletes, and The Rock was one of the best. As for Johnsons acting chops, he has what it takes. A script that stays true to the books, a director who has read and understands the gritty, no mercy, right is right and wrong is wrong, never meets an enemy he can’t crush with ease character that is Jack Reacher, Dwayne Johnson as Reacher, and a solid supporting cast is a recipe for a great movie series. A movie series, that if it captures all the qualities and nuances of the novels, could become the gold standard in big, fun, smart action. The potential is there. I just hope it gets fully realized.
I think the best person to play Reacher would be a no-name guy that can eventually become typecast as Reacher. Picking a very well known person wouldn’t work, I don’t think. There must be dozens of guys in Hollywood who have the physical attributes of a Jack Reacher — the next step is conveying the character, which would be more challenging, but feasible.
You know, that really might be the best option. I like what I am seeing from Chris Hemworth in the Thor clips – he’s big, rough looking, and blonde – but finding someone with the size and quiet menace who is an up and comer might be the best thing to do.
I too think we’ll be looking at someone unknown who can make the part their own, like Jon Hamm did with Mad Men. Of the known names, I am kind of liking Josh Holloway, but he is maybe too chiselled. Alexander Skarsgard, roughed up and bulked up, would perhaps fit the bill and has demonstrated the right mix of control and introversion. Tough call. Can’t go with Dwayne Johnson though. Sorry.
Ray Stevenson, 6’4″; Joe Manganiello, 6’5″; Ken Kirzinger, 6’5″. To name a few.
John Corbett is my pick. he already is 6’5 and would do well as Jack Reacher.
Gotta say, Dwayne Johnson/The Rock is the only actor that came to mind when I considered the possibilities…but that does not mean the perfect unknown actor to play Reacher is not out there, somewhere, waiting to be discovered…
p.s. now that I’ve had a chance to look up John Corbett, I agree with John (above). John Corbett would be the perfect Reacher.
Brock Lesnar!
No thanks. Some personality would be a plus
Chech out Ryan Hurst, who plays “Opie” on Sons of Anarchy. The most believably menacing character on that show, and 6’5″, 35 years old.
I’m with you on Hurst. I’ve never watched Sons Of Anarchy. But just looked at the first picture I could find and I immediately said, “That’s Jack Reacher”.
I’ve thought alot about who would be the perfect Jack Reacher.
Robert Mitchum. Nobody would have been a better match.
hery rollins?
sorry, i mean “henry” rollins!
Interesting thought and out of the box. The tattoos could be an issue. But he is a pretty big dude. Not sure about his voice and acting ability though.
100% VINCE VAUGHN!!!!HE WOULD BE THE BEST POSSIBLE JACK REACHER. HE HAS THE SIZE AND WITTY SENSE OF HUMOR!!!!!!!!!!
Really? Vince Vaughn? Um… wow.
I absolutely LOVE this series. Mr. Childs, you have a true gift — and what an imagination! Can’t put these books down. From the very first book, I saw Dwayne Johnson in the role. Jack’s quiet, brute strength, just waiting to kick some ass! His intelligence, his acute skills and his takes-no-BS attitude is every woman’s dream! I agree that a no-name would probably be best, but until that happens, I see Dwayne every time Jack opens his mouth– or says nothing.
P.S. — I’ll be happy to play the part of Rosemary Barr!!
I think Kevin Durand would be an excellent choice! The guy is 6 feet 6 inches tall and 240 pounds according to IMDb. Also, the guy has the acting chops to do the part justice.
I think the Australian Actor Ian Roberts would be a perfect fit for this role. He is an ex Rugby League player so he is already a toughguy. 6’5″ and about 240lbs. He did play one of Lex Luthers Henchmen in Superman Returns.
How about Daniel Cudmore? He’s 30 years old (Reacher was 31 in the first book). He’s 6’6″, a little big, but close enough. Can’t find a weight, but he looks about right…
Looks like the casting news is nearing its final hours. Check here for details: http://www.popbunker.net/2011/06/starring-tom-cruise-jack-reacher/
Prepare to be disappointed.
Tom Cruise is a TERRIBLE idea. I’m a fan of Cruise normally, and believe he has a lot of range as an actor. But Reacher is 6’5″ in the books. Cruise is about 5’6″ in heels. He’s too old, he’s too small, he’s too smarmy. None of the traits you need in Reacher.
Casting Tom Cruise will likely be a series killer. People will stay away in droves. Much better to find a relatively unknown new actor who has the size and strength and can communicate remarkable intelligence. Then let him grow into the role with the next films in what could be a successful series. And remember, Reacher wears the same clothes for 3 or 4 days (and they are not bought for style) and then throws them in a dumpster. Cruise would need a new outffit for every scene.