As long as Reacher doesn't suddenly become a Scientologist

The news had been slowly trickling out that the option on Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels had been picked up once again by a major studio. But what wasn't reported was who actually bought the rights this time around:

Paramount and Cruise/Wagner Productions (co-owned by Tom Cruise) are teaming up to bring Lee Child's novel One Shot to the big screen.

The novel is one of a series of nine that follow the adventures of ex-military cop Jack Reacher, reports Empire Online. The story centres on the events that ensue when a man kills five people and summons Reacher when he is effortlessly arrested by the police.

It is so far unknown as to whether or not Tom Cruise will step in front of the camera for the project.

Now you know and I know that the last part of this story is just a cheap ploy to get people talking but...methinks the answer is a flat-out "no." (or as Lee's lovely webmaven put it, "He's PRODUCER.  Say it with me. P-R-O-D-U-C-E-R.  Now breathe.  In.  Out.")

OTOH, I wonder if "Free Reacher!" T-shirts will start flooding the market...

Comments

[JDRhoades]

I only hope that Cruise has to realize he's too small and pretty to play Reacher.

[Jenny D]

I want Russell Crowe to be Reacher! I love those books...

[Gerald So]

Excellent pick, Jenny.

[Annie]

I asked Lee about this last week at a signing after reading his comments on his blog.. and all he'd say was that he wasn't free to say much at this time... But he did mention the possibility of a 'nameless Academy Award winner'...

Benicio del Toro doesn't seem quite the Reacher 'type', so, if we consider other recent winners since 2000, that leaves Russell Crowe, Denzel Washington, Jim Broadbent, Adrien Brody, Morgan Freeman, Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper (my favorite actor), Sean Penn, or Tim Robbins.

But if you go back to the '90s, you get Kevin Spacey. Hmm, I might pick him.

Problem is that in my reader mind Reacher looks exactly like Lee Child..

[Dave White]

Russel Crowe would be a good Reacher. Kevin Spacy, however, I think would be a reach. I think Reacher is a big guy, someone diesel who could believable beat the crap out of seven assassins or something.

[Mary]

Denzel as Reacher....ummm. A lot better fit than many of the other actors mentioned. Maybe a little older than Reacher in some of the books. But I could get my head around casting him. Doesn't hurt that I love Denzel and as the saying goes, could listen to him read the phone book.

But I'm with Annie, Reacher looks like a slightly scruffy version of Lee. Okay, sometimes more than slightly.

[Jeff]

What about Tom Jane as Jack Reacher? He's tall, built & fair-haired.

[ken merrell]

How about a bulked up Guy Pearce?

[peter campbell]

i think Ralph Fiennes (english patient) would make a good Reacher or 2nd choice Daniel Craig but maybe he is too busy with the Bond movies. but both good actors.

[Papa J]

Thank goodness the names Adam Sandler or Mike Meyers did not surface. Has anyone taken a tape to Val Kilmer?

[Dan O'Leary]

Howie Long is physically exactly right for Reacher. Since Reacher is not an emotive guy, Howie's acting chops should be up to the role. Long's intelligence and presence in real life seem to match the fictional Reacher's also. With the right director, it's something I'd like to see.

[Eliza]

Am I the only person who sees Josh Holloway as a perfect Reacher?! He's big, tall (although certainly not 6'5"), and has just the right combination of swagger and tenderness to play one of my all-time favorite literary characters.