Tom Cruise is a prolific actor and has done a lot for cinema, but his Jack Reacher movie adaptations were one of the biggest flops of his career. It was unexpected as the novels have a strong following, and the action sequences required for the film are something that Cruise is famous for. However, there are many pitfalls to avoid when taking on a work and a character as well-known as Jack Reacher, including keeping all the fans happy.
When Lee Child, the author of the Jack Reacher books, first published the original novel Killing Floor in 1997, the franchise soon blossomed into a classic of the action-adventure genre. The recent TV adaptation of his work has exploded in popularity so much that Reacher is getting a season 3. Many of the choices in the series have been praised for their faithfulness to the books. When drawing comparisons between what went wrong for Cruise and what’s going right for Reacher, the flaws in Cruise’s attempts become glaringly obvious.
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10 Tom Cruise Isn’t The Right Type
He’s too physically different from the book’s description.
Although physical type matters less in Hollywood than ever before when there’s an explicit character description written into the source material, it’s difficult not to notice the differences. Jack Reacher is characterized by his enormous stature and imposing physical presence. The character stands at 6’5″ in the books and is supposed to be built like a tank, able to withstand anything. While Cruise’s presence can be intimidating, he’s 5’7″, which is a big enough change for it to affect not just perception, but the story itself.
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9 The Serialized Stories Were Meant For TV
Which makes the Reacher series more effective.
For those keeping up with the books, Reacher‘s next book reveals a lot about season 3’s story, which is half the fun of reading and watching along. Each book can be its own standalone story, and the shift in TV to anthologies that keep a small recurring cast of characters suits the book’s style very well. Unfortunately, film is rarely as effective at adapting books because there isn’t enough time to explore the written story’s details and minor plot points.
A series has many episodes to go off on tangents and side quests that ultimately support the main plot. Cruise’s Jack Reacher movies jumped around in their plotting and were more dedicated to creating a spectacle than following the novels closely. While that’s common for movie adaptations, it’s a letdown in meeting audience expectations. It’s the small subtle moments that make Reacher into the legend he is, and the movies don’t spend enough time getting to know him.
8 Tom Cruise Already Has Enough Franchises
Mission: Impossible, Top Gun, and more.
Cruise was not only the star but also a producer on his Jack Reacher series, and indulging in casting himself as the lead was perhaps a step too far. Having his hand in the project gave it credibility, as he’s known for his high attention to detail and commitment to realism onscreen. However, seeing him get to be the hero in yet another franchise was overkill and lost some goodwill with the audience. Supporting a project that feels more like vanity than a heartfelt portrayal of the source material can sour franchise potential.
7 The Tone Was Too Serious
While enjoyable, the Jack Reacher movies took themselves too seriously.
While violence, criminal activities, and dangerous activities are prominent parts of both the TV series and the movies, the film’s spin on the stakes was too high and not light enough. The series is by no means light, but it is aware that Reacher’s actions and abilities aren’t always rooted in reality, and that’s okay. Part of what makes Jack Reacher so successful is that it’s a fantasy, and it can be just as gritty as it is hilarious. Cruise has comedic timing, but he often opts for an air that’s too suave for Reacher.
6 The Sequel Was A Flop
Crushing the franchise before it could take off.
Jack Reacher: Never Go Back was always doomed, according to director, Edward Zwick. Though there were plenty of missteps, both in and out of production, the biggest flaw was that the book that was chosen to adapt, Never Go Back, didn’t tell a story audiences were interested in. The most popular Reacher stories involve him being a lone wolf and his many journies across the country. In Never Go Back, Reacher is more emotionally tied down than ever, which wasn’t helped by the fact that the creative team behind the sequel wasn’t as strong as the original.
5 Inconsistent Direction
Christopher McQuarrie didn’t return for the second film.
Christopher McQuarrie is a long-time collaborator with Cruise, and when they partnered on the first Jack Reacher, it was a relative success. However, McQuarrie didn’t come back for the sequel, which effectively killed any chance at future iterations. The difference between the first and second films was palpable, making the sequel feel like a poorly rendered ripoff instead of a fluid continuation of the story. Franchises are powered by originality in their many sequels and spinoffs but also by consistency of quality. The wrong director can easily ruin the potential of popular IP.
4 It Relies On The Popularity Of The Books
Instead of establishing itself as a unique entity.
Part of the draw of the movies was their connection to the books, and that should be acknowledged, but there are plenty of audience members unfamiliar with the books that were being introduced to Jack Reacher and his stories in the films. The films assumed that audiences would have preexisting knowledge of the stories and connections to the franchise. This wasn’t the case, and the assumption ended up alienating some audience members. Starting the first book in the series instead of One Shot, a more recent installment could have helped solve this.
3 The Plots Were Formulaic
No innovative action sequences were utilized.
Reacher is celebrated for his ability to take on multiple opponents at once and never back down from a fight. While there are plenty of fight scenes in Jack Reacher and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back, a collection of action sequences doesn’t necessarily make a compelling plot. Due to the nature of the adaptations, many of the character motivations and backstories are left underdeveloped. Additionally, there was little mystery about how the films were going to end. Of course, Reacher was going to come out victorious, but that ending is only satisfying because of the journey.
2 Cruise’s Legacy Drew Focus Away From The Story
He’s almost too popular to play characters with their own histories.
Not only does Cruise have a varied and prolific history, but the films he’s been in are high-profile, and the public is very aware of him.Tom Cruise’s best movies aren’t just known for their craft but for being part of what created the figure of Cruise. When a star becomes this big, it’s difficult to separate them from their character. Watching the movies doesn’t feel like watching Jack Reacher, but watching Cruise under the mask of Reacher. Every actor puts their own spin on their characters, but Reacher has plenty of existing characterization in the books without him.
1 Alan Ritchson Is A Better Reacher
Due to his performance, stature, and dedication to the role.
Alan Ritchson, who plays Jack Reacher in the new show, is a better fit for the character, and not just because of his size. Ritchson isn’t an unknown actor, but he doesn’t have the star power of Cruise, so he seamlessly slips into the role. Additionally, his comedic timing elevates the dialogue and is closer to how Reacher acts in the books. While the series is an all-around better adaptation than the movies, it’s in large part thanks to Ritchson, as he anchors the show and makes Reacher feel more like a real person than in the Jack Reacher films.
Jack Reacher
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- Director
- Christopher McQuarrie
- Release Date
- December 21, 2012
- Studio(s)
- Paramount Pictures
- Runtime
- 2h 10m
- Franchise(s)
- Jack Reacher
- Budget
- 50million
