New Line Cinema, Paramount Pictures and the Tom Cruise-founded Cruise/Wagner Productions acquired the film rights to Lee Child’s wildly popular series of Jack Reacher novels in 2005, but it wasn’t until June 2011 that Cruise officially signed on to play the nomadic American hero. However, once he did, fans were furious that the 5-foot, 7-inch actor would play the imposing Reacher, who is described in the books as being 6-foot-5, 220-250 lbs., and has a 50-inch chest.
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For many fans, the ideal choice would’ve been Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The former professional wrestler-turned-actor certainly measures up, being 6-foot-4 and weighing over 250 lbs.
Surprisingly, Johnson recently revealed that he wanted to play Reacher but lost out to Cruise. “Yup, luv the character,” the Fate of the Furious star tweeted. “Bout 10yrs ago I went after the role, but Cruise got it. Was great motivation for me to always stay hungry.”
Jack Reacher (2012) – Ex-military investigator Jack Reacher (Tom Cruise) leaps off the pages of Lee Child’s bestselling novel and onto the big screen in this explosive thriller. When an unspeakable crime is committed, all evidence points to the suspect in custody who offers up a single note in defense: “Get Jack Reacher!” The law has its limits, but Reacher does not when his fight for the truth pits him against an unexpected enemy with a skill for violence and a secret to keep.
The cast also features Robert Duvall (Apocalypse Now), Rosamund Pike (Die Another Day), Werner Herzog (Rescue Dawn), David Oyelowo (Rise of the Planet of the Apes), Richard Jenkins (The Cabin in the Woods) and Jai Courtney (A Good Day to Die Hard).
It was adapted for the screen and directed by Academy Award-winner Christopher McQuarrie (Best Original Screenplay, The Usual Suspects, 1995).
On a $60 million production budget, Jack Reacher grossed $218.3 million at the worldwide box office. Cruise reprised his role for the 2016 sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back — which underperformed the 2012 film by over $50 million.
