Alan Ritchson's Letter to Tom Cruise: Taking Over the Reacher Role

Alan Ritchson, the star of Reacher, reminisced about writing a sincere note to Tom Cruise after taking over the role of Lee Child's formidable hero. Cruise has been the only actor to portray Jack Reacher on the big screen, starring in the 2012 film Jack Reacher and its 2016 sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.

When Amazon Studios revived the series as a streaming show, Reacher, in 2022, Cruise was no longer part of the cast. Instead, the role was taken over by Ritchson, who was previously recognized for playing Aquaman in Smallville.

Ritchson has openly shown his respect for Cruise and has even made attempts to reach out to him, albeit without success.

Alan Ritchson wrote Tom Cruise a letter after replacing him as Reacher

During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Ritchson revealed he drafted a letter to Cruise, however, it ultimately never landed in the Hollywood icon’s mailbox.

“Cruise has received criticism for the role because he doesn’t exactly match the description of Reacher in the books,” Ritchson said. “But despite this, he still starred in two movies that each grossed over $300 million. He may not fit the role perfectly, but he has brought a lot of attention to the series. Our success is in part because of him.”

“In gratitude, I wrote him a loving, heartfelt, page-long letter,” he added. “But when I gave it to Don Granger, a partner of his at Skydance, he told me it was a terrible idea. Cruise is fine with the role being recast and has moved on in his life. He thinks it’s best for everyone to move on as well.”

Jack Reacher is back in Reacher Season 2

Ritchson seemingly took Granger’s advice to heart. Leaving Cruise’s legacy in the rearview mirror, he’s currently starring in his second season of Reacher.

Reacher Season 2 is adapted from Lee Child’s 11th Jack Reacher novel, Bad Luck and Trouble, where he seeks out the perpetrators behind the killing of his former army comrade.

The initial three episodes were released on December 14, with the following episode set to premiere on December 21. In total, Reacher Season 2 will consist of eight episodes, concluding in mid-January 2024.

Stream Reacher Season 2 Episodes 1-3 now on Prime Video. Sign up here to watch. Explore our other Reacher content. Keep in mind that we may earn a small affiliate commission if you click on a product link on this page.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I find it heartwarming to learn about Alan Ritchson's genuine respect and admiration for Tom Cruise, despite taking over the iconic role of Jack Reacher. Ritchson's attempt to reach out to Cruise with a heartfelt letter, even though it didn't reach its intended recipient, showcases his humility and appreciation for Cruise's contributions to the character. It's refreshing to see actors acknowledging and valuing the work of their predecessors, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the entertainment industry.

Ritchson's decision to leave Cruise's legacy behind and focus on his own portrayal of Reacher in Season 2 demonstrates his professionalism and commitment to the role. While it's understandable that some fans may have reservations about a new actor taking on such a beloved character, Ritchson's dedication to capturing the essence of Reacher, as described in Lee Child's novels, is commendable. I'm excited to see how Ritchson brings his own interpretation to the character and continues to build upon the success of the Reacher series.