Alan Ritchson, the towering star of Amazon Prime’s Reacher, has expressed a mix of admiration and disappointment in a recent interview, revealing his unsuccessful efforts to lure Tom Cruise back to the role that first brought Jack Reacher to the screen. As Reacher continues to dominate streaming charts and earn praise for its fidelity to Lee Child’s original novels, Ritchson’s comments highlight a fascinating intersection of Hollywood legacies and creative visions. Unlike Netflix’s The Witcher, which has faced criticism for diverging from its source material, Reacher has become a benchmark for adaptations that honor their roots—a point of pride for Ritchson, who nonetheless wished he could have shared the journey with Cruise, the character’s cinematic predecessor.

Ritchson’s tenure as Jack Reacher began in 2022 with the debut of the Amazon series, which quickly became a breakout hit. Standing at 6’2” and boasting a physique that mirrors the hulking, 6’5”, 250-pound ex-military drifter described in Child’s books, Ritchson has been hailed as the definitive Reacher. The show’s first season adapted Killing Floor, delivering a gritty, no-nonsense narrative that resonated with fans who felt Cruise’s 2012 film Jack Reacher and its 2016 sequel Never Go Back missed the mark physically, despite their commercial success. Cruise, at 5’7”, brought his signature intensity and star power to the role, but for many purists, his stature clashed with the character’s imposing presence—a critique even author Lee Child has since acknowledged.

In a candid moment, Ritchson shared that he reached out to Cruise, hoping to convince the A-list icon to make a cameo or take on a supporting role in the series. “I thought it’d be incredible to have Tom back, even just for a nod to the fans,” Ritchson said in a March 2025 interview with Entertainment Weekly. “He’s the one who put Reacher on the map for so many people, and I owe him a lot for that visibility. But he’s got his own path, and I get it.” Cruise, currently immersed in the Mission: Impossible franchise and other high-profile projects, reportedly declined, leaving Ritchson wistful but respectful of the decision.

The contrast between Reacher and Netflix’s The Witcher has only amplified the Amazon series’ reputation. While The Witcher, starring Henry Cavill for its first three seasons, garnered a massive following, it faced backlash from fans of Andrzej Sapkowski’s books and CD Projekt Red’s games for its liberal reinterpretations of key plotlines and characters. Cavill’s exit after Season 3, replaced by Liam Hemsworth, further fueled debates about creative fidelity, with some arguing the show lost its anchor. In contrast, Reacher has thrived by sticking closely to Child’s vision—each season adapting a single novel with meticulous attention to detail, from Reacher’s nomadic lifestyle to his brutal, hands-on approach to justice. Season 3, based on Persuader and released in early 2025, introduced towering antagonist Paulie (played by 7’1” Olivier Richters), reinforcing the show’s commitment to larger-than-life stakes.

Ritchson’s disappointment over Cruise’s absence doesn’t overshadow his pride in the series’ achievements. “We’re doing something special here,” he told EW. “It’s not just about me—it’s about respecting the books and the fans who’ve waited for this version.” That respect has paid off: Reacher boasts a 90%+ Rotten Tomatoes score across its seasons and has been a top performer for Prime Video, outpacing many competitors in viewership. The show’s television format allows for deeper character exploration and sprawling action sequences, advantages Cruise’s films, constrained by runtime, couldn’t fully exploit. Where Cruise relied on technique and charisma, Ritchson’s Reacher overwhelms with sheer physicality—a trait that’s become a hallmark of the series’ appeal.

Cruise’s legacy as Reacher, however, remains undeniable. His first film grossed nearly $220 million worldwide, proving the character’s broad appeal, even if the sequel faltered. Ritchson has consistently praised Cruise’s contribution, calling him “the most legendary actor of all time” in a 2024 interview with Jonatan Blomberg. “He brought eyes to this project that wouldn’t be here otherwise,” Ritchson noted, a sentiment echoed by Child, who once defended Cruise’s casting by citing his metaphorical enormity. Yet, as Reacher Season 4 looms—confirmed for a 2026 release—Ritchson’s embodiment has arguably eclipsed that earlier iteration, breaking Cruise’s four-year record as the longest-serving live-action Reacher by next year.

For now, Ritchson soldiers on, carrying the weight of fan expectations and his own aspirations. His failed pitch to Cruise is a footnote in a larger success story—one where Reacher stands as a rare adaptation that doesn’t compromise. As Netflix’s The Witcher navigates its own rocky path, Amazon’s steadfast approach offers a lesson in staying true to the source. Cavill may have moved on, but Ritchson’s Reacher is here to stay, proving that sometimes, the right fit is worth the wait—even if it means going it alone.