In the realm of red carpet
interviews, one minute is considered fair, three minutes is excellent, and 10
minutes is a rarity. However, Alan Ritchson, the star of "Reacher,"
defied this norm on Wednesday night by generously spending a substantial amount
of time in conversation with The Hollywood Reporter inside L.A.’s Culver
Theater. This occurred on the eve of the season two debut of his Prime Video
series.
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| Alan Ritchson at a Los Angeles screening of 'Reacher' season two |
Despite the tight schedule,
Ritchson made an exception to the typical interview duration. Two weeks before
the season two premiere on December 15, Amazon announced the renewal of the
series for a third season, which is currently in production. Shortly after this
confirmation, the studio revealed that the 41-year-old actor had secured a
multiyear first-look film deal with his company, AllyCat Entertainment, through
Amazon MGM Studios. This decision was influenced by "Reacher"
becoming Prime Video’s most-watched original series and achieving the
distinction of being the first title to top Nielsen’s SVOD rankings.
In the extensive 10-minute
interview, Alan Ritchson, a seasoned actor with two decades of experience,
delved into various aspects. He discussed the transition to being No. 1 on the
call sheet, sharing insights on observed behaviors that he has no intention of
emulating.
Additionally, Ritchson touched upon his aspirations behind the camera, expressing interests in writing, directing, and producing. He also explained his preference for authenticity, choosing to bare his soul rather than crafting a faux movie star persona on social media.
What, in your opinion, led to the widespread popularity of
"Reacher"?
That's a fantastic question. Given
that the show was inspired by a series of books, specifically Lee Child’s Jack
Reacher novels, which sold over 200 million copies, there were already high
expectations due to the existing audience.
However, the unprecedented and
wholly unexpected success of breaking records within 48 hours of premiering on
Prime was truly remarkable. Fans of Reacher frequently approach me, and I
always inquire about what aspects they love. Women often express appreciation
for the fight scenes and action sequences, while men mention their love for the
mystery and the challenge of trying to figure things out before Reacher does.
The show seems to offer something for everyone, transcending demographics and appealing to people of all creeds, races, genders, and ages. It invites anyone who simply wants to have a good time and enjoy an engaging story.
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| Alan Ritchson in Reacher’s second season |
Your success with "Reacher" is a testament to your talent and
perfect timing. Finally taking the lead on a show must have been a long-awaited
achievement. What surprised you the most about leading a series?
It was a journey a long time in the
making. Interestingly, when I began my career, I found myself in a situation
with "Smallville" where I was initially promised a spinoff. The
ratings were record-setting in season five when I joined the show, and I had
many people in Hollywood telling me that I was the guy, destined to be No. 1 on
the call sheet right away. However, a merger between UPN and Warner Bros. to
create The CW disrupted our plans. The president of UPN took over, questioned
the guy with no substantial résumé, and decided I wasn't getting my own show.
In the midst of negotiations, it all fell apart. Surprisingly, it turned out to
be the best thing that ever happened to me.
This experience taught me the importance of holding on loosely to expectations in this industry and to enjoy whatever actually materializes. It provided me with a 20-year career, fostering a foundation of gratitude and the opportunity to gain experience in various aspects of the business, including writing, directing, and producing. It allowed me to become a well-rounded individual prepared for a leading role in a show where I could be a servant to the crew. I'm grateful for all the early losses that prepared me for the role of Reacher.
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| Ritchson, Shaun Sipos and Serinda Swan in Reacher’s second season |
Over those 20 years, you likely witnessed various behaviors on sets that
you didn't want to replicate when you took on the lead role. Can you share any
experiences that influenced your approach as the No. 1 on the call sheet?
Absolutely, 100 percent. I witnessed the leads doing things that I couldn't possibly imagine doing myself. I once saw someone leave the set in the middle of a take, hail an Uber, and exit the country, declaring, "I'm done with the show." They didn't just leave the set; they left the country. We only found out later, once they posted photos on Instagram, that they had traveled to Spain. Witnessing the disruption it caused, I knew that would never be my approach.
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| Reacher stars Ritchson, Swan and Sipos flanked by Amazon’s Albert Chang (far left) and Vernon Sanders at the premiere |
Regarding your second question,
it's a mixed bag. On one hand, it's reassuring to stand here tonight knowing
that we're already picked up for season three, and I have a job to go back to.
On the other hand, there's an extra level of anxiety because if things don't go
well with the launch, I might be wondering what will happen at work on Monday.
(Laughs.)
With Amazon expressing a lot of love for the show and its success, as the
No. 1, do you receive any special gifts or recognition from the studio?
You know, I have to say that Amazon
really takes excellent care of me. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the
business right now. I'm at the best studio there is. Amazon boasts the most
content for streaming, and with shows like "Reacher," "The
Boys," and all their other offerings, it's top-notch content.
When they support you, they do it
wholeheartedly. Our relationship extends beyond the business; it's more than
just a contractual arrangement. There's a genuine sense of goodwill and
affection between everyone at Amazon and myself.
Being involved in a new production deal with them, and considering your
commitment not to make "any crappy movies," can you share what kind
of projects you have in mind?
We can't overlook my own wife's
comment, which was, "So, I guess
you're retiring?" I set myself up for that one...
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| Husband and wife team: Cat and Alan Ritchson |
It seems like you're just at the beginning of your journey. Can you
outline your strategy for the type of content you plan to produce? Will you be
involved in writing, directing, and producing projects that aren't necessarily
centered around you?
Yes, I will be producing projects
in which I'm not the lead. Some of my greatest strengths aren't
performance-related, so there's a wide range of things we're going to explore.
Some projects will involve original scripts or scripts that I've collaborated
on, while others may be scripts that we discover. I've emphasized my strong
desire, shared by most audiences, for original content. I'm fully committed to
discovering and developing original, high-adventure, and high-concept projects.
Your authenticity on platforms like Instagram is admirable, especially as
your Hollywood star continues to rise. Despite potential advice to rein it in,
why have you chosen to embrace being a genuine human being rather than
conforming to a stereotypical, polished celebrity image?
At the end of the day, we're all
human beings. I went through an early midlife crisis, an existential breakdown,
during a period of significant financial success. I was involved in developing
film funds for successful individuals, and my work behind the lens was
extensive and valuable to certain people.
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| Ritchson in a scene from Reacher’s second season |
However, in that moment, I
experienced a crisis of purpose and had to thoroughly reassess the meaning of
my life. Was it about building an empire? But there was nothing there—no satisfaction,
no ultimate goal. I found myself surrounded by billionaires leading double
lives, seemingly bored and unsatisfied with their wealth, offering a glimpse
into a miserable existence.
I'm committed to the lesson I
learned in that moment: serving others and creating work that contributes
positively to the world is truly what we're here for. I'm grateful for having
learned that lesson, although it was hard-fought and I nearly didn't survive.
Now, I'm here to live out that lesson, openly share my struggles and
challenges, and contribute to making the world feel like a beautiful, smaller
place.
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