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Tom Cruise Talks Playing Jack Reacher in the Adaptation of 'One Shot'

by Ethan Anderton
October 25, 2011
Source: Empire

While the more recent news of director Werner Herzog taking the villain role in Christopher McQuarrie's adaptation of Lee Child's novel One Shot was quite a mind-blowing piece of casting, there are some fans of the novel's recurring character Jack Reacher who are still more shocked that Tom Cruise is playing the character described as being 6'5" and weighing in at 250 pounds. Of course, it's hard to argue with the approval of Cruise's casting from the author himself, and the international superstar of an actor recently spoke with Empire and said that was a big determining factor in whether or not he would take the role.

For those just joining us, this story follows Reacher as he investigates a case in which a lone sniper murders five victims before being captured. But Reacher soon learns the apprehension of the alleged sniper isn't the end, and this case won't be closed that easily. With Cruise used to doing plenty of action in films like Minority Report and the Mission: Impossible franchise, it doesn't sound completely outside of his wheelhouse, but he knows fans are skeptical of his casting as the popular character from Child's novels. While filming in Pittsburgh, this is was Cruise had to say about playing Jack Reacher:

"Firstly, I'm very sensitive to it. This is Lee's book and Lee's character. Him giving me his blessing is what made me do it. If he hadn't then I wouldn't have done it. Lee told me that the reason he wrote him that size (6' 5") is because that was just one element to his character, and that opened the door to me playing him. Reacher is such a great character. He doesn't have a cell phone, he doesn't have email. He's off the grid. He pays for things in cash. People look at things through the prism of the colours of their life, but Jack Reacher does things the way we want to sometimes. In that sense he's sort of a Dirty Harry, a James Bond, a Josey Wales."

Of course, this isn't the first time Cruise has faced adversity in casting for an adaptation like this. Fans of the Anne Rice novel Interview with a Vampire were none too pleased with Cruise's casting in that film, but his performance mostly laid those concerns to rest. And with a cast that includes Herzog as the villain, Rosamund Pike as the female lead, Robert Duvall and David Oyelowo, it certainly sounds like a promising adaptation that could please even the most skeptical fans. We'll all get the chance to find out on February 8th, 2013 when the film hits theaters. Anyone still skeptical of Tom Cruise playing Jack Reacher?

Filed under Hype, Movie News

From around the web:

Xerxexx

Why not? Cruise is always good.
Vgameguy2002

I don't know. I like Cruz but as someone who reads the books it is hard to think of him in this role. The character is describe many times in every book and it is a part of what makes this character who he is. He is a former MP who what big enough to end fights and bring military criminals in. Cruz is what 5'9"? It just seems silly to go that far from who the character really is. Just my opinion though.
- Xerxexx
  
  His height is not really an issue with Hollyweird magic.
  - David Banner
    
    6' is the hight needed for Hollyweird magic
Voice of Reason

I dont care who Cruise is off-camera. He rules as Ethan Hunt, he dominated the role of Bill Hartford, power-housed as Frank TJ Mackey and still makes me laugh as Les Grossman. I have no doubt Cruise can take on any role and am excited to see him in this.
Vmissu

Hugh Jackman! Better actor. taller. better for the role. there are tons of actors over 6 feet tall. Lee Child is a sellout which is very sad. REACHER is not a big talker. He stood out because of his size and his skills...in every single book, and it mentioned twenty times in every book. TC is a short, chubby man that can't measure up in anyways. He is so arrogant to take on the role. He bought the rights to the series. He could be a producer instead of playing Reacher. I love these books and it's killing me to see this happening. Tragic! Read more: http://www.eonline.com/news/the_awful_truth/tom_cruise_very_sensitive_talk_about/271798#ixzz1c0bgoNHs
Promisemonroe

Tom Cruise is NOT Jack Reacher!! I'm boycotting!!!!
Doc

Cruise is just 5'7"
Eddy

Tom playing Reacher is not true to the character. I guess an actor can put his own spin on a character but would it be true to the spirt that the author created? Every actor who played James Bond portrayed Bond in his own manner, but ask anyone who most represents the books version of James Bond and Sean Connery always wins. Sure Tom Cruise could play Jack Reacher so could a high school drama student but does this do justice to the book or fans of Jack Reacher? A fan should not have to stretch his imagination to accept an actors interpretation of a well known character. If Tom Cruise was picked to portray John Wayne would it be ok to say he is tapping into the essence of Wayne not the physical man. Fans want to see a giant, that is Reacher. Wayne was a physical giant, thats what made him bigger than life on the screen. Imagine a 200lb Hulk or a 5'8 160lb Thor. So yes Tom Cruise will play a character named Jack Reacher in his movie but he is not playing Jack Reacher of Lee Child novels.