2012 saw Tom Cruise star in/as Jack Reacher, a PG-13 action blockbuster following a former Military police officer turned nomad who somehow always manages to find himself embroiled in dangerous conspiracies. This first film was successful enough that it warranted a sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. Unfortunately, despite being a financial hit, critics were divided.

The money made from the film should have been enough to warrant another sequel. However, reports surfaced that any attempts to make what would have been a hard R-rated follow-up had stalled, leaving a continuation of the franchise up in the air. So, will there be another Jack Reacher movie?

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

What Happened To The Jack Reacher: Never Go Back Follow-Up?

     Photo Credit - Skydance Media, TC Productions, Huahua Media-Shanghai Film Group

Although Lee Child respected Cruise’s acting and dedication to playing Reacher, he was never a fan of the superstar’s casting, citing his physical stature as a reason. In the books, Reacher is in his mid-30’s and is an imposing 6'5 and 250 pounds. Cruise is only 5'7 and in his late 50’s. Reacher is a presence that turns heads whenever he walks into a room, and Cruise simply didn’t match up. Ultimately, Child decided to exercise a clause in his contract that allowed him to discontinue the franchise after just two films. According to Indiewire, he commented on the matter in 2018, saying, “Cruise, for all his talent, didn’t have that physicality. I really enjoyed working with him. He’s a really, really nice guy. We had a lot of fun. But ultimately, the readers are right. The size of Reacher is really, really important, and it’s a big component of who he is. The idea is that when he walks into a room, everyone is just a little nervous for that first minute.”

The Jack Reacher novels have a rabid fan base, and many were understandably unenthused with Cruise’s portrayal as the titular character. So, the A-lister’s run has reached its end. The R-rated sequel that Cruise and Jack Reacher (2012) director Christopher McQuarrie were trying to make would have stuck more closely to the hard-hitting source material, but it’s a project that wasn’t meant to be. The duo hasn’t given up hope, though, as there are still desires for the action star to feature in an R-rated action film that would see him presented in a way never seen before. In an interview with Empire, McQuarrie has even hinted at two such projects with implications to show Cruise in a more villainous role, more akin to his role as Vincent in Michael Mann’s Collateral. McQuarrie has cited films such as Deadpool and Joker as inspiration for these projects. Could the duo be working on a superhero film of sorts?

Is This The End Of Jack Reacher?

     Photo Credit - Weed Road Pictures, Berlanti Productions, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Television

Each season will cover a book from the series, with the first being based on Reacher’s debut novel, Killing Floor. In synopsis, while passing through the small Georgia town of Margrave, Reacher is arrested and charged for a murder he didn’t commit and must use his investigative skills to prove his innocence while also dealing with his past and a shady counterfeiting ring. The showrunners could also take elements from three prequel novels (“Night School,” “The Affair,” and “The Enemy”) to provide insight into the character’s life before arriving in Margrave as well as finding ways to keep long-time fans guessing.

Also joining Ritchson is Marc Bendavid (“Dark Matter”) as Hubble, a naive accountant who gets himself caught up in bad and potentially dangerous business dealings. Fellow “Smallville” alum Kristin Kreuk will play Charlie, Hubble’s tough, no-nonsense wife and a former debutante. Harvey Guillen (“Werewolves Within”) will play a medical examiner named Jasper, who is increasingly disturbed by the series of murders in his town. Willie C. Carpenter (“Devious Maids”) will play a barber named Mosley, who will also form a friendship with Reacher in his search to clear his name. Currie Graham (“Desperate Housewives”) will play Kleiner Sr., a local businessman with a dark side and deep roots in Margrave’s past and present. Finally, Maxwell Jenkins (“Lost In Space”) will play a younger Jack Reacher in scenes exploring the character’s past.

The 8-episode first season is set to air on the popular streaming service next year on February 4.