Reacher Differences From Tom Cruise's Movies

Lee Child’s Jack Reacher series is one of the biggest and most popular book series of all times, with them amassing over 100 million readers and having a whopping 24 books in total. The books are so popular that they warranted two movie adaptations starring the one and only Tom Cruise, but although they were overall well received, die hard fans of the books did have their own little nitpicks. With the movies coming to a halt, Child pivoted his creation to the small screen with Amazon picking up the tite and converting it into a TV series. To do this they made a number of changes from what we saw in the movies, and no we are not just talking about casting.

In this video we will take a look at the biggest and most notable differences between the movies and the show and how they both compare to the books. We will discuss how the casting of Ritchson makes for a more book friendly version of the character, how the series is more violent and takes greater ‘risks’, how the character’s traits have changed in the series from what they were in the movies, how the longer run time allows the series to have a better pacing and allow for more character development and plot setup, how the series actually moves away to other books in the franchise, the character backstory, and just some cool general pieces of trivia that may have been of interest to you. This is the biggest differences between the Reacher movies and series!

What did you make of this video? Any differences we missed? Which version of Reacher do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to subscribe to the channel today for all this and more!

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:34 Size
3:06 Violence
4:44 Character Traits
6:34 Pacing
7:59 Depth

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Written by: Aiden M
Narrated by: Michael Neeb
Edited by: Gullivar Du Katt

[MThrow]

As a long time reader of the books, I never accepted Tom Cruise as Reacher. Alan Ritchson has nailed the character, and made many of us Reacher fans very happy. Great video.

[artisaprimus]

The role of Reacher was tailor made for Alan Ritchson. He is well spoken, but his physical presence is perfect for the character. The back story shows Reacher as a child having to defend what he believes is right. A man scarred by countless battles, unwilling to compromise. Hopefully, we will see more from this character.

[PopeBrak]

One of the novels describes Reacher as "Sherlock Homeless." Best nickname ever?. . . arguably, yes.

[adriennedull]

I watched all the Jack Reacher movies several times. Thought that Tom Cruise did a great job playing Reacher. That being said. I binged watched this series on Prime. I just couldn't get enough of it. Alan Ritchson IS Jack Reacher. I agree the run time permits deeper development of his character and the plot. I am hoping we get to see another season of it...LOVED IT!

[JH-vztm]

I'm a huge Reacher fan, read every book and Cruise portrayal left me feeling it missed the mark...but Ritchson made a lifelong Reacher fan smile and say "YES" ...he nailed it! Love the new series and can't wait for season 2

[davidking]

I admire Ritchson for reading all 24 novels - Damn, that is impressive. I also admire Cruise for being able to play a character like Reacher without having the physically intimidating presence that is "arguably" a requirement.

[AsterixInOz]

Ritchson is Reacher, his portrayal is exactly how I envisioned Reacher to be. Everything about this is series is better than the movie adaptation. A brilliant series, can't wait for more.

[MobileFilmmaking]

I never read the books so my first introduction to Reacher was the Tom Cruise movies. I thought they were ok. I kept reading the reviews of people complaining about Crusie’s size compared to Reacher in the books. After watching the series.. I GET 😂 I love this series and the cast

[ahmed]

As someone who's read all the books, Alan has absolutely nailed the role is pretty much every way and genuinely seems to care about the role.

[melaniesmith]

Ritchson is, quite simply, perfect for the role. One of the few series on tv in recent years I've actually enjoyed.

[Random-Person_]

The series nailed it. I enjoyed the movies and have nothing to complain about other than the normal sized stature of Tom Cruise. The back story and tiny details that the series included from Reacher's mom having a French accent and Neagley's aversion to being touched just made it so much better for me. Alan Ritchson is the perfect Reacher and is now forever linked in my brain to the visual in my head as I read a Reacher novel or hear the name. Similar to how Heath Ledger IS the Joker to me, Alan Ritchson IS Reacher

[raskarl]

The series cast totally nailed Reacher. I loved every second - currently on my second run through. I am very excited another series has been ordered and cannot wait for it to drop!

[airtexaco]

I enjoyed both movies, but the show was better. As stated, Ritchson is more like the book description and despite not having the name recognition, did the books justice. He brought the character to life and I am looking forward to another series.

[rukkuize]

Richton is Jack Reacher for me. My sisters and I used to enjoy discussing all the fight scenes descriptions in the novel and they are exactly what I had imagined. Head butt, upper cut under the jaw, elbow punches, kick on the balls and breaking the leg by a kick behind the knee....he made my day.

[signin]

I didn't hate the Cruise films, in fact after watching them I got into listening to the Reacher audiobooks, but Alan is by far the better choice.

[lopezlion]

I watched the series because I saw a YouTube short of the show, the part in the jail cell when Reacher protected Hubble, and was hooked immediately. Watched the whole series and absolutely didn't regret it.

[barrybleazard]

I read every one of the books and LOVED the Amazon series. They nailed it! Ritchson is a fantastic Reacher! Can't wait for season 2.

[BigDog]

Ritchson was fantastic in the role. Exactly how I've always pictured Reacher--his body, sense of humour, fight skills and sheer pain-in-the-ass stubbornness. Add to this his exceptional good looks and screen presence (never heard of him before this), and I reckon if Amazon were smart they'd be thinking many, many more mini-series. Lot's of books to go...

[dennisvanwagner]

I enjoyed both characters as Reacher but Ritchson was definitely a better fit and nailed the role characterized in the book series.

[Darkmattermonkey]

The series actor ACTUALLY looks like someone who could beat a roomful of thugs, whereas cruise looks like someone who would’ve ended up a prison B in the first day.