Its hard to see bigger screw ups with the casting than Tom Cruise as the title character. Cruise neither looks like nor physically resembles Reacher from the books nor is he that talented in playing multi-faced characters. Can anyone honestly think of a worst A-list casting choice for any movie within the last few years?
GMG Man
Tyler perry as Alex cross
shareActually, it wasn't Perry that sucked as much the overall production, writing etc. He actually does look like Cross from the books, unlike Morgan Freeman or Cruise as Reacher.
Fighting a religious war is like fighting over whose imaginary friend is better.
Every single James Bond actor! No one has the scar on the right cheek!! Doesn't anyone read the source material anymore??? You guys really, really need to get over yourselves.
shareI think in this case, Tom Cruise needs to get over himself. He didn't belong in this movie, and I don't know how he could ever look at himself in the mirror again after doing it. He truly sucked in it, and the movie was so bad it was comical. I laughed all the way through it.
sharePersonally in real life, IMO, Cruise is a nutter with a huge side of douchenozzle but as an actor I've got no hate for him. But like you said he was way miscast here. I'm not a fan of Lee Child or Reacher but in the one book I read Reacher is a monster. 6'4" and two hundred and too much pounds. Cruise is small and slight, although I've got to say that he looked to be in fantastic shape...especially considering he's 50.
They used him because he has draw but FFS why didn't they give him lifts so that he was, at least, the tallest man in the room? The lady lawyer was bigger than him. LOL! Oh yeah, they didn't use lifts and tricks of the camera because it would have wounded Cruise's ego.
When I said Cruise didn't belong in this movie, I meant the movie was so over the top stupid, it was below him to be in it. Yes.....and to make it worse, this Reacher character is the toughest guy in the world it would appear, and so again Cruise didn't belong in the role.
What Cruise lacked in size, he tried to make up for with conceit and attitude. When you mix all that with the absolutely stupid script and Cruises size, it made for one of the most comical ridiculous flicks I've ever seen.
I thought it was *more* comical in the scenes where they obviously *did* put him on a platform or whatever.
There were a couple of those, like his first entry into the interview room when two other people were present. Not only did the camera look "down" over his shoulder to show the other two people, it was comically high above they're heads!
Personally in real life, IMO, Cruise is a nutter with a huge side of douchenozzle
Personally in real life, IMO, Cruise is a nutter with a huge side of douchenozzle but as an actor I've got no hate for him.
Cruise only took the role when there was no other option for a big name who looked the part more. Get a clue and get over it idiot.
Quote the raven nevermore
I Love the books, but can't think of anybody else than Cruise being Reacher on screen. He made this his own. What he lacks in height and blondness, he gained in talent and attitude. That's it. Great movie, great actor. People should stop whinin.
shareReacher's fighting skill is bolstered by his huge size and great strength, so that he could pick up a giant (7' tall weighing 400 lbs.) in A Wanted Man, and drop him on his head, whereas my sister could kick Tom Cruise's ass.
Irony is like goldy or bronzy, but it's made of iron.
It's not his height.
A major part of Reacher's character is that he is physically intimidating. He is huge and heavily muscled, but not gym sculpted.
A significant part of Reacher's character and appearance is his perfect nose and teeth - demonstrating that he has never been physically beaten.
The problem with casting an actor, any actor who doesn't have these physical characteristics is that It requires the very well established, invincible Reacher character and multiple associated plot lines to be adapted to allow a small man to play this role. None the least because other characters will perceive him differently and must respond differently because of his size.
The novels are the highest selling series in this genre in the USA and globally for the past decade.
They didn't need an A-list actor, there was already a large and established fan base.
They didn't need a comic book WWE wrestler with little/no film experience.
They could have cast a very experienced film stunt man of suitable proportions, a perfect nose and promise/potential as an actor. Someone who could lend authenticity to the role by doing their own stunts, someone who could embody the attributes of the Reacher character.
I know the ship has sailed. I understand we are stuck with Cruise and this is a business decision by the studio.
I have no complaints with Cruise's performance in the film. I like him in action roles with limited dialogue: Last Samurai, Oblivion...
But his casting necessitates rewriting of the established role. He cannot play Reacher as depicted in the novels.
Hollywood has done it again, stuffed around with established stories and characters and in so doing has disrespected the established fan base. They just cannot help themselves - always wanting to "make it better".
So I will watch with interest to see how the lead character and stories are adapted for film, but I won't expect to see the Reacher character from the books. The films need to stand on their own.
I will watch with a tinge of disappointment that Hollywood has once again unnecessarily buggered an existing story and familiar characters.
I was re-watching the tv series Human Target, last episode, Jackie Earle Haley saying,"I don't run." when he heard they knew about his kid. And I had the random thought, you know, even JEH, with a slightly lesser build than tom cruise, would have done better as Jack Reacher...because he can do the attitude.
For those thinking it was a miscast though, it wasn't...cruise bought the movie rights from Lee Child, a sale I hope Lee Child regrets to his grave.
Scott Adkins would have been perfect for the role.
shareby mcgill-646-33556 » Thu Nov 14 2013 01:09:31
IMDb member since March 2013
Every single James Bond actor! No one has the scar on the right cheek!! Doesn't anyone read the source material anymore??? You guys really, really need to get over yourselves.
Maybe a little Clancy, but no Ian Fleming …I've read a little Jack Ryan and have no issue with any of the actors who have played him on the screen. I read all the JB novels after having seen a couple of the Connery movies. So I think I always pictured Sean when I was reading.
I suppose when you read the material an image forms in your mind. This could be like when you hear someone on the radio, yet 9 times out of 10 that person is nothing like you visualize.totally agree, there.
Well said regarding pre-formed notions. Just one thing, Cruise is small and quick, which can be better fighting numerous opponents. Unless you are huge the added size does not out weigh the multiple opponents advantage.
shareI have never read the Lee Childs novel so I can't compare Tom Cruise's depiction of Reacher to the character in the book.
Now, I never want to read the novel. I absolutely love this movie, but to me, it seems to be a graphic novel brought to life on the screen.
I don't want to change that opinion by reading the book.
I have watched this film several times because I just love the movie and Cruise in it.
It was a fun romp of a movie, and I'm not part of the Tom Cruise hate club, but having read the books, I have say that Tom Cruise can never be Jack Reacher.
shareThe movie was good, but the books are better. There are several Jack Reacher novels, and I'm about half way through them. I'm currently reading this one (One Shot) and the movie did deviate from some great moments in the book. I don't regret either one. Good movie. Great books. Just don't compare them with the storyline and characters. If you like these types of stories, grab one of the Reacher novels and give it a chance.
shareReacher is described, repeatedly, in the books as 6'4" (8 inches taller than cruise), 250 pounds of walking aggression.
cruise is woefully lacking in all departments....he couldn't intimidate a 5th grader.
Cruise is a full foot shorter than Reacher is supposed to be. Like they said above bad casting.
shareDid you know Bond is just a code name? There's no actual James Bond. He's just a spook.
State champ in martial arts, trained with firearms, I eFF'n dare you!
“Any more” is 2 words, dunce. Get over THIS.
shareWTF I thought his response was a joke. Tyler Perry was Cross?
shareAgree with jdavisii. Tyler Perry's Alex Cross was horrible.
Movies vs. MiniSeries. That.
spacey in The Shipping News
his IBM scene is beyond embarrassing
agreed I cant see him in anything without thinking of Medea
shareJesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor.....Literally the worst Miscast in Hollywood History
Truly have no idea how this ever got past the "What"If" stage
PS...I've never read the Jack Reacher books, so I cant really speak about if Cruise was a miscast, from every thing I've read its clear fans of the book Universally agree he's a major miscast but just speaking as an Action Movie Fan....I enjoyed this movie and Cruise in the role(again though I'm clearly not the best judge for this movie or role)
How about somebody taller and more believable as an ass kicker? Countless other actors could've fit the mold better...
GMG Man
[deleted]
There is more to Reacher than his size, if you want to see a 6'5 brute hammering thugs go watch any generic 80s action film. Cruise was great in the role.
shareI agree totally, he was.
He played a great role in this film. I had not even heard of the film, It just came on by chance on sky, I have to admit i was hooked on it, and tom cruise was bloody great.
I loved the cast...... I mean what else do you want!!!!?
If you have read the series, there is one thing that is constantly mentioned, and that is his size. So having a small man like Cruise playing him is ridiculous.
shareIf you have read the series, there is one thing that is constantly mentioned, and that is his size. So having a small man like Cruise playing him is ridiculous.
I think Child, being originally an advertising person, could see the attention that Cruise's attachment to the film would bring, and so help him as well. I've also read Child's rationalisations of his approval of Cruise [90% of the size, 100% of the character, etc] which besides being inaccurate, as Cruise is perhaps 75% of Reacher's size, are just rationalisations. Cruise brought the options as a vehicle for himself... bad call. A bit like him turning down 'Salt' to do 'Day and Knight.'
One of the things that Cruice can't deliver is the hard personal qualities of Reacher, who shows merciless attitiude to those that piss him off [or hurt women]. He just doesn't have the nonchalant-yet-cruel demeanour tro deliver it in the tough guy role, however he can act it other contexts, such as in Collateral, where size and physical toughness were not givens.
I've tried on many posts, but you've given the best description of Cruise's part in this movie.
Fighting a religious war is like fighting over whose imaginary friend is better.
Tom Cruise
Height 5ft 7in
Weight 166 lb (76 kg)
A nose that only his mother could love.
Jack Reacher
Height 6ft 5in., a full 10" taller
Weight 220-250lbs (~ 110kg), up to 50% heavier
Physically intimidating, perfect nose and teeth as a badge of honour for never being physically bested.
Reacher from the books needs to be re characterised/re written for Cruise. Who is physically intimidated by a bloke who is 5' 7" until AFTER he demonstrates a capacity for violence? It is inevitable that other characters and the audience would perceive him differently and behave differently towards him. The different relationship between the characters requires the stories to be altered by necessity because the motivations and interactions of other characters to Reacher in numerous situations cannot be the same.
IMO it is not about Cruise's abilities, likeability or performance. His casting requires the character of Reacher to be reimagined. This doesn't mean that they can't make decent movies with Cruise, but he is physically incapable of playing the role as written in the books. This is simply disrespectful to established fans of the novels and no attempted rationalisation can overcome this. Instead of BS spin, Cruise and the studio should just acknowledge this and say "we like Cruise for his physicality and we will do our level best to tell the story of Reacher with integrity, and to best honour the established fans of the books".
If the series is successful, they will need a "young Reacher" for some of the stories.
An intelligent studio/producer/rights holder would start an online competition or viewer poll to engage the fan base.
This.
A thousand times this.
You are so right, this idiot ruined Reacher.
shareYou really think big equates to tough? You watch much martial arts? You ever watch Samurai movies? Ever hear of Zatoichi? Size is good for absorbing punishment, but reflex & speed count for doling out punishment. I think Cruise did a fine job. He always has the right attitude which is what counts most on-screen. BTW, Bruce Lee was the same height as TC.
shareIt's more to Reacher being big and brute than just being tough.
shareThere really should be a poll regarding Jack Reacher. There are a ton a people that never heard of the book character and only knew about Jack Reacher because it was a Tom Cruise flick.
Same goes for Katniss. What's her face doesn't remotely sound like the Katniss in the book but she's doing a hell of a job in the movie, even though I can't remember her name right now and I'm too lazy to look it up. Jennifer something., LOL.
_
Every person that served can be called a veteran, but not every veteran can be called a Marine.
People complain because TC wasn't tall enough for the character. But I thought people hated clichés these days.
You want to play the game, you'd better know the rules, love.
-Harry Callahan
Here's another one - Tom Selleck as Jesse Stone even though Stone in the book is meant to be about 30 years younger than Stone in the movies.
I've read a few of the Jack Reacher books and Tom Cruise as Reaher didn't bother me at all.
jack Reacher in the Lee child books is a huge fearsome man , that is the whole point of the character , to give the role to little Tommy Cruise was as the op suggests the miscast of all time . I think it had something to do with little Tommy financing the movie . Lee Child must have been mad to agree to Cruise playing the lead role .
sharelittle tommy bought the movie rights.
I'm sure it's a sale Lee Child wishes he could take back.
Cruise wouldn't have been my first choice either but I didn't think he did a particularly bad job. There are many instances where I felt like the lead character was miscast but the actor still managed to do a decent job. Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, Johnny Depp in Donnie Brasco are some examples.
shareHonestly, I find Tom Cruise miscast in just about anything where he's not playing a high school student,but casting him as Jack Reacher is egregiously wrong. Lee Child must have really needed the money to go along with this Hall of Fame of Stupid decision.
shareLee Child must have really needed the money to go along with this Hall of Fame of Stupid decision.
TC is a terrible choice even if you've never read the books...TC is just a mini-man and not a believable bad-ass IMO.
Liev Schreiber would be great, big guy with just enough of a dark side to be Reacher.
I don't enjoy Tom Cruise as an actor, so I didn't enjoy this film.
Cruise loves himself enough for all of us.
Sorry to any Cruise fans out there.
Oh good Lord, another from the "he's not big enough to be a bad ass."
Trust me, size alone has absolutely nothing to do with how tough somebody is. Somebody Tom Cruise's size could destroy a much larger, stronger opponent if he knew what he was doing. I know because I've seen it in person.
Can you describe how the smaller opponent defeated the bigger one?
If impersonating a Police Officer is an offence, shouldn't actors be imprisoned?
little tommy couldn't destroy the average 5th grader.
share
Yeah, the readers of the novels have to get over it. This is a pretty good movie, even if it doesn't perfectly match the books.
Sorry, Tom Cruise may not be the most likable human being in the world, and I know whenever he's on camera, there is a fair amount of baggage you have to get over. However, the guy is underrated as an actor because of who he is. He can flat out play a role, and he played this beautifully.
He isn't big enough, blah, blah... Jack Reacher is 6'5" in the books, blah, blah. Cruise has played bad asses before. Was Bruce Lee too small? Is Stallone too small?
I am a big fan of the Iliad, and when it came out that Brad Pitt was going to play Achilles, I thought it was a horrible idea. Achilles was this monster of a man, and obviously, pretty boy Brad Pitt couldn't portray the dominant warrior that he was.
Wrong. Brad Pitt is awesome as Achilles in the movie TROY. He is fantastic as a dramatic actor, and he is completely believable as a kick ass warrior.
Okay. So, readers of the novels, you can have your Liev Schreiber or your Ray Stevenson, both excellent actors who would have better fit your image of the character. You can have them and maybe you'd be happier, and the movie would have half the audience that it got thanks to Tom Cruise.
Great post.
If impersonating a Police Officer is an offence, shouldn't actors be imprisoned?
I can think of a classic miscast, for the very reasons you state here--his size:
Jack Nicholson as McMurphy in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".
If you read that book, you'd know that McMurphy is supposed to be quite large, and the 'Chief' larger still.
Nicholson is only 5'8 1/2", and back then was probably only about 150-160 lbs.
The Chief--played by Will Sampson who is 6'5"--but he was also quite skinny back then. I guess they didn't want to dwarf the diminutive Nicholson:)
I doubt too many people found fault with the miscast in Nicholson's case. It was one of his finer moments (or at least, Oscar thought so).
I don't think we have to worry about Tom winning any Oscars for playing Reacher, but I also was surprised how well he did with the roll.
While it is hard to believe they couldn't find someone more appropriate to play Reacher, I doubt any of them one have had the Box office pull that cruise does. Let's face it, film-making may be considered an art-form, but it doesn't hurt if the 'art' makes a little money in the process.
I get your point here but many times in the book series reference is made to his size. As someone said earlier he absorbs punishment, and his size means he's not the most agile bloke in the world but he gets the job done. Very early in the series he has to crawl through a tiny tunnel and he gets stuck and panics, this is part of his character. I know small blokes and be claustrophobic too but it's shown in the books that his size is sometimes his weakness as well as a strength. On the subject of strength, Reacher accomplishes feats of a strength that would seem absurd for anyone of average or less size. He's Reacher, he's big. Cruise is neither.
shareAs for Cruise being of slight build, in real life the big guy is not always the toughest, I witnessed a slight 5'8" MP knock down 6 big brawling US Army and Thai personel to put an end to a fight in a Bangkok nightclub many years ago ... all with his bare-hands and in 10 secs........... so!
shareIt's funny when you read comments from prepubescents who clearly have no idea what happens in a real fight. It's not Hollywood, choreographed or even 'safe' as you see in a boxing ring. It's fast, brutal and over within seconds. I don't get why some posters here are jizzing over Jack Reacher being this 6'5 220lbs 'monster'. Or why they pick on Tom Cruise's height (he's not that short) which is what society conditions them to think anyway. Besides Cruise's physique was pretty good for the film and I thought he looked really believable in the fight scenes, which were brutal in places.
If impersonating a Police Officer is an offence, shouldn't actors be imprisoned?
I guess Liev Schrieber could have done it? But folks would have gotten him mixed up with his Ray Donovan character.
shareTrue..
I was in the military in the philippines. Those little 4' 9" females had those damn bamboo sticks knew how to use them. They not only laid out a few GI's and Sailors back in those days? I've seen guys get crucified (literally) with butterfly knives.. I am a woman, and i would rather get beat up by a real Jack Reacher, than to tangle with those women overseas...
Technically there is no such thing as miscasting.
Actors are rarely chosen for their physical resemblance to the character they are playing. Thats just not how casting works. It's not about lookalikes.
Actors are supposed to adapt to the role and become the character. They can also be helped by hair, makeup and even time spent in a gym, or gaining/losing weight for a role.
And when you look at scenarios like Jack Reacher you are in a different level. The movie would not have been made without Cruise production clout, and his name in the credits.
And I personally loved the movie, it was a very good thriller in it's own right regardless of the casting issue.
As others have said, some people just need to get over themselves.