Alan Ritchson's Impressive Size and Adaptation in Reacher Season 2: Book Comparison

Article Overview

Alan Ritchson has put in a lot of effort to physically embody the character of Jack Reacher in Reacher season 2, with high-calorie diets and intense workouts five days a week.

Ritchson's commitment to his physical transformation is clearly visible, demonstrated by his five-pound weight gain since season 1 and the establishment of a fully-equipped gym at his home amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ritchson's appearance closely matches the depiction of the character in Lee Child's books, with his tall height, muscular physique, blue eyes, and dark blonde hair, rendering him a more suitable choice than Tom Cruise, who portrayed Reacher in the movie adaptations.

After the success of season 1, Alan Ritchson has undergone significant physical changes, and it is worth noting how closely his appearance now matches the description in the books. Playing the iconic character of Reacher, who has a strong sense of duty, Ritchson has achieved his physique through disciplined training and a high-calorie diet, working out five days a week. In season 2, Ritchson's behind-the-scenes efforts will be showcased even more, adding depth to his performance.

As the release date of season 2 approaches (scheduled for December 15), excitement surrounding Ritchson's portrayal of Jack Reacher is reaching its peak. While one main character, Roscoe (played by Willa Fitzgerald), will not return for season 2 due to Reacher's new love interest, many beloved characters, such as Frances Neagley (played by Maria Sten), will make a comeback. Season 2 will follow the story of Lee Child's eleventh book, "Bad Luck and Trouble," as Reacher and Neagley venture from California to Las Vegas to uncover secrets about one of their former team members.

Alan Ritchson Has Put On More Muscle For Reacher Season 2

In addition to the people he surrounds himself with, there is also considerable attention on the character of Jack Reacher. While he has already experienced a full season of adventures, there is a possibility that the Reacher in season 2 may differ in one significant way from the previous season. Information revealed in a now-deleted Instagram post from November 2022 indicates that the actor, Ritchson, has gained an extra five pounds since his transformation for the first season, reaching a weight of 240 pounds. Ritchson's preparation for the role of Jack Reacher began during the COVID-19 pandemic, and he remained committed to his workouts. He removed the dining table from his rented space and created a fully equipped gym.

His dedication and hard work are evident, as he managed to gain 30 pounds, reaching a body weight of 235 pounds before the first season. In an interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Ritchson admits that consuming enough calories was a challenge, and he even had an assistant solely tasked with providing him with food, particularly smoothies and proteins. Despite this, Ritchson has been able to focus on building muscle while maintaining a lean appearance through his short but intense workout sessions.

How Alan Ritchson's Appearance Compares To Lee Child's Reacher In The Books

Ritchson acknowledges his preference for a lean physique as it provides him with more versatility in role choices. Typically cast in superhero projects, he made the decision to significantly increase his muscle mass in order to portray Reacher. This decision can be understood when considering the character's description in the books. Reacher is depicted as being around 6'5'', whereas Ritchson stands at around 6'2''. This alone highlights one of the reasons why Alan Ritchson is a more suitable choice for the role of Jack Reacher compared to Tom Cruise, who portrayed him in the film adaptations and only measures up to 5'7".

To further support Ritchson's casting as Reacher, Child's book Never Go Back provides a detailed physical description of the character. Reacher is described as having a well-defined six-pack, a muscular chest akin to NFL armor, and biceps resembling basketballs. Ritchson's dedicated focus on his physical conditioning for this role enables him to bring the character to life more accurately as depicted in the books. Reacher's weight is also specified to be between 210 and 250 pounds, aligning perfectly with Ritchson's current weight. Moreover, Ritchson shares the desired physical attributes of blue eyes and dark blonde hair, which are essential in capturing Reacher's appearance. With Child's approval of Ritchson's casting, it is evident that Ritchson possesses not only the appropriate looks and physique but also the acting skills required to faithfully portray Reacher.

Reacher season 2 will premiere with its first three episodes on December 15, 2023, on Amazon Prime Video.

Source: Men's Health, Men's Journal, Youtube/TheKellyClarksonShow

Reacher is a gripping live-action adaptation of Lee Child's Jack Reacher book series by Amazon Prime Video. Set in the fictional town of Margrave, Georgia, the series revolves around Jack Reacher, a veteran Military Police Officer, who becomes entangled in a perilous conspiracy. Aptly portrayed by the towering Alan Ritchson, this dynamic hero teams up with officer Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) and Chief Detective Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin) to clear his name and rid Margrave of its crime and corruption.

Release Date February 4, 2022Cast Malcolm Goodwin, Maria Sten, Willa Fitzgerald, Bruce McGill, Chris Webster, Alan RitchsonGenres Drama, Crime, ActionSeasons 1

Editor's P/S

Alan Ritchson's impressive physical transformation for Reacher season 2 is a testament to his dedication to the role. His commitment to gaining weight and building muscle has resulted in a physique that closely matches the description of Jack Reacher in Lee Child's books. This, combined with his height, blue eyes, and dark blonde hair, makes him a more suitable choice for the role than Tom Cruise, who portrayed Reacher in the movie adaptations.

Ritchson's hard work and determination are evident in his portrayal of Reacher. His physicality brings the character to life and adds depth to his performance. As a fan of the Reacher series, I am excited to see how Ritchson's portrayal of the character evolves in season 2.