<p>I saw Lee Child speak last earlier this year–when questioned about the choice of Cruise to play Reacher, he noted that once an author sells the rights to a book, he has no control over the casting. Not exactly a vigorous defense of the decision!</p>
<p>Read my first Jack Reacher novel this summer. I hadn’t picked up that he was so huge in size, but he definitely can single-handedly clear a room of bad guys. Definitely Jim Caviezel to play him! That guy is wonderful in Person of Interest. Where has he been all my life?</p>
That’s what happens when all your shoes are specially made with lifts. But seriously, 6’5" and 240lbs? That’s delusional. Are they going to cast all the other characters short so he looks taller in comparison? Lower the roofs and props proportionally? That’s like a foot and 100lbs difference (he’s 5’6" and probably 150lbs soaking wet with kevlar on).</p>
<p>The whole Cruise/Reacher thing has caused storms of controversy in the mystery reader world. I’d prefer Viggo Mortenson, since the young Nick Nolte is no longer available. Or Sean Bean. Although both he and Viggo are probably a bit too old at this point…on the other hand, so is the poison dwarf. :D</p>
<p>Since Jim might be tied up with a television series, maybe Christian Bale? But he may be too familiar.</p>
<p>My H is seriously going to be irritated. He has been looking forward to the filming of the Reacher character but he wouldn’t go see anything starring Cruise.</p>
<p>I didn’t know Cruise was going to play Reacher. Terrible choice,did the casting director not read any of the books. I felt the same way when they cast Matt Damon as Jason Bourne. While I like Damon he just was not my vision of Bourne.</p>
<p>Cruise is opposite of Reacher. Very weird casting. Jack Reacher doesnt smile & certainly doesnt grin. Is very tall and broad and wears his clothes until they fall to shreds.
Doesnt chatter.</p>
<p>Next perhaps Cruise will star in a remake of Devil in a Blue Dress. ;)</p>
<p>Most people who see the movie will not have read the books and the producers know that. There is a trailer out in which he does some badass driving, badass fighting and badass talking. No grinning.</p>
<p>^^^Yes, youre right and that is what makes me mad and sad. Those of us who religiously read Lee Child and feel a connection to Jack Reacher are the ones who will find it impossible to enjoy the movie. I dont plan to see the movie. Ill have to wait for the remake. Hopefully, those producers will be wiser in their selection of Jack Reacher.</p>
<p>I could see a young Jason Statham as Reacher. Knowing Reacher grew up on military bases around the world – Statham’s accent would not bother me.</p>
<p>I will have to read those books. One of my favorite authors is Robert Crais and I just read that Lee Child’s books compare favorably and are on a couple of “read alike” lists. I am caught up on Crais’ books so need to start a new series.</p>
<p>Absolutely…I am also a Crais fan and Lee Child’s books are for the same type of reader…not as much wry humor from Reacher as from Elvis but great reads. Neither one of them would benefit by having Tom Cruise play them!</p>
<p>I have read several of Robert Crais books. I like his protagonists Elvis Cole and Joe Pike. I really enjoyed The Two Minute Rule. The last Crais book I read was The First Rule where I realized my mental vision of Joe Pike was wrong. For some weird reason I assumed Joe Pike was Black. White or Black, Crais has created a complex and interesting character w/ Joe Pike. </p>
<p>I read a lot of mystery books and I cant think of one protagonist I would be happy to see TC portray.</p>
<p>Crais’ last two books were great, (The First Rule is one of my favorites) but one of the best is his first, The Monkey’s Raincoat. That one got me hooked. My greatest surprise about Pike was that he drinks Corona. Corona? Really? I didn’t know “real men” drank Corona.</p>
<p>I wonder if any of you mystery fans are acquainted with rec.arts.mystery? In a moment of blatant self-promotion, let me mention that my chocolate company appears in several books by a well-known mystery author. :D</p>