Alan Ritchson’s Real-Life Reacher Experience Further Proves His Perfect Casting

Alan Ritchson’s real-life crime-fighting exploits prove he’s the perfect choice to play Reacher’s titular tough guy. Based on the book series by Lee Child, Ritchson first stepped into the role of the former Military Police Investigator turned drifter for 2022’s Reacher season 1. Boasting an imposing physical presence far more in keeping with Child’s original character, Ritchson’s turn in the role served as a major departure from the previous movie adaptations led by Tom Cruise. Earning rave reviews and strong viewership numbers, Prime Video’s Reacher show is shortly set to return with filming on season 3 already nearing completion.

During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Ritchson recounted an anecdote where he channeled his crime-fighting character and thwarted a burglar by giving chase. Explaining that while on a date with his wife, he witnessed a thief exit a vehicle with duffel bags full of stolen goods and, against his wife’s wishes, ran the culprit down on foot before subduing him in spectacular fashion. Check out his comments and the video below:

So, this guy pulls out of this car, and he’s got like, four duffel bags of stuff. And he starts running towards us, and I was like, “That dude definitely just broke into that car.” We lock eyes as he passes, and I was like, “Oh no.” He’s definitely like an ACME villain, and I’m going to have to do something about this. [My wife] goes, “We’re on a date.” I go, “Please, I have to do this.” She goes, “Please don’t do this!”

I took off, and I started chasing this dude, and by the time he got past us, he was scooting pretty good. He turned the corner, you know, he took a left, I took a left. I see him at the end of the street. I’m like, “I’m gonna hunt this dude down.” So, he takes another left. I come around the corner, and the dude, like David Copperfield, he’s gone. And there was not that much time. I made up some ground… and somebody, way down the block, goes, “He’s under the van!”

I look under the van three feet in front of me [and see him]… and he starts scooting, like, he does this little scoot… I go, “Just give it up dude.” And he leaves the duffel bag [and runs off], and I’m like, “I’m not done yet.” He gets off and starts running, and I’m side by side with him now, because I’m pretty fast. He also was fast, but I was faster. So, I’m side by side, I’m like, “Dude. Don’t do this.” And he starts to ball up his hands, like he’s going to punch me or something. I’m like, “Don’t touch me. I’m gonna have to end this.” And he goes to push me, and I — lovingly, I love all people, I’m a pacifist at heart — I gently take him like a shot put, like a discus, and I twirl him right into the building, and he just slides down like a cartoon character.

Do you know what the cops said? The cops were speaking in French, so I don’t know if this is exactly right, but I think what they said was this guy is the most prolific car burglar in all of Montreal, and you finally got him. And, the owners of the cars showed up and were giving me high-fives, like, “Thanks! Oh my god!”

Jack Reacher Is The Role Alan Ritchson Was Born To Play

No stranger to playing heroic crime-fighters, Ritchson was outsmarting criminals long before he assumed the lead role in Prime Video’s Reacher. Beginning his acting career as Arthur Curry (aka Aquaman) on Smallville in the early 2000s, he would later jump back into the world of DC Superheroes by playing Hank Hall (aka Dove) on the first three seasons of Titans. He has also been regularly floated by fans as a potential favorite to become Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe reboot of the character.

Yet, despite Ritchson’s impressive history with comic book roles, it would be his debut as Child’s nomadic Jack Reacher which would ultimately showcase his true potential as an actor. While the character is imbued with the same kind of moral sensibilities and single-minded drive that underpins most costumed crimefighters, his own brand of vigilante justice is not weighed down by any unnecessary pomp or pageantry. A far more relatable and realistic hero than any DC superhero, Amazon’s Reacher is the kind of role that will continue to define Ritchson’s career long after he steps away from the show.

With Ritchson’s most recent revelation showing that his own sense of justice and willingness to put himself in harm’s way echoes that of his character, it would be hard to argue anyone else is a better pick for the role. Moreover, with Child’s original Jack Reacher book series currently consisting of 28 books, with a 29th planned for release later this year, there are still plenty of opportunities for Ritchson to continue to prove his mettle in future Reacher seasons.

Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Reacher

Produced by Amazon Prime Video, Reacher adapts Lee Child’s Jack Reacher book series to live-action. The series follows veteran Military Police Officer Jack Reacher as he unravels a dangerous conspiracy in the fictional town of Margrave, Georgia. Played by the towering Alan Ritchson, the titular hero collaborates with officer Roscoe Conklin (Willa Fitzgerald) and Chief Detective Oscar Finlay (Malcolm Goodwin) to clean his name and save Margrave from crime and corruption.

Release Date

February 4, 2022

Cast

Malcolm Goodwin , Maria Sten , Willa Fitzgerald , Bruce McGill , Chris Webster , Alan Ritchson , Anthony Michael Hall

Seasons

3

Writers

Nick Santora

Network

amazon prime video

Franchise(s)

Jack Reacher

Directors

Nick Santora

Showrunner

Nick Santora