Reacher’s Alan Ritchson shares a funny story about reaching out to Tom Cruise and finally delivering his message after the first try didn’t go well.

Reacher‘s Alan Ritchson shares a funny story about reaching out to Tom Cruise. Ritchson’s take on the former military man is currently leading one of Prime Video’s most popular shows, as season 2 continues the titular protagonist’s story by surrounding him with new characters and a new mystery to unravel. Cruise played the role first, however, in 2012’s Jack Reacher and the sequel Never Go Back.

In an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live to promote Reacher season 2, Ritchson noted again that he wrote a letter to Tom Cruise as a way of thanking him for passing the torch. But as he amusingly explains to Kimmel, Cruise never got the letter. So, the actor pauses the interview to express his appreciation for Cruise. Ritchson’s quote is transcribed below:
I wrote Tom a letter. I wrote him a heartfelt letter. Because here’s the thing, I know what you know. He’s taken some criticism for the role, because he doesn’t aesthetically fit the role of Reacher perfectly, according to the books. This guy still did two movies that grossed over $300 million, and doesn’t even fit. He’s brought so many eyes to this series. We would not have the success that we have without it. So out of gratitude, I write him a loving, heartfelt letter, a page-long letter, and I give it to Don Granger, his partner of his at Skydance. My boss. Skydance produces the show.

I said, ‘I think we should give this to him.’ I want him to know like, I’m grateful that he’s passing the torch, and you know, he’s given me his blessing and all that. And he said, ‘We’re not going to give it to him. It’s a terrible idea’. He’s fine with it. Because he’s moved on in life. He’s moved on. And you need to move on, too. I said it on the paper and yet the paper never got to Tom.

Okay, I know we’ve had our moments, right? I’m super grateful for you passing the baton to me on Reacher and helping it become what it’s become with the eyes that you brought to the show. So I just want you to know that that was some version of my letter. There’s a few ‘I love yous’, a couple of pictures together, but just leave it there.

Why Didn’t Tom Cruise’s Reacher Resonate With Audiences?

The first installment performed well, although not exceptionally, with both audiences and critics. 2012’s Jack Reacher reached a worldwide total of $218.3 million against a $60 million budget. Reviews were similarly solid, with praise going to Cruise’s performance. Though there was some commentary about the fact that Cruise did not fit the ideal look for Reacher, as described in the Lee Child books on which the show is based, he was lauded for bringing a level of intensity to the portrayal.

The sequel made less of an impact, reaching $162 million against a budget that reportedly ranged from $60 to $96 million. Reviews were more noticeably mixed, with some citing a noticeable drop-off in quality from the first movie. Ritchson points to Tom Cruise not fitting the described look of Jack Reacher, but the real issue might have been that Cruise is a movie star all his own. Mission: Impossible was already established as a hit franchise, and it might have been a hard sell for audiences to flock to see Cruise in another action-hero role just getting started.

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Ritchson, by comparison, could count Reacher as his breakout performance that introduced him to an entirely new audience. He looks the part and doesn’t have a previous massive franchise holding onto his shoulders, unlike Cruise. That may be the biggest dividing line between him and Cruise, though it’s underappreciated relative to the more readily apparent physical distinctions.