Lee Child Talks Future ‘Reacher’ Seasons, Adapting Stories from the Movies: “I would certainly do the ones that were features, but they’re on the back burner”

Before “Reacher” became a hit series on Prime Video, its protagonist had already made his mark in cinema. The character, originating from Lee Child’s novels “One Shot” and “Never Go Back,” was first brought to life by Tom Cruise. However, this casting was met with mixed feelings from fans due to Cruise’s stature not matching the burly description of Jack Reacher in the books.

Despite Cruise’s compelling performance, the mismatch in physical appearance led to underwhelming responses to “Never Go Back.” This reaction spurred a shift to television, a medium that both fans and Child have found more suitable for the character.

Lee Child, now an executive producer for the “Reacher” series, has witnessed adaptations of his work in both film and television. With the series’ success, particularly with Alan Ritchson’s portrayal, which aligns more closely with the character’s physicality from the books, Child has expressed a strong preference for television.

“My preference is for streaming television. Simply for that running time you’ve got. It’s such a luxury. Feature films are so tight that it’s an absolute joy to have time to do all the little bits, the quiet bits, the fun bits, and the tender bits. You know, that feels great,” Child explained. He firmly believes that no book author would choose film over streaming if given the option, due to the capacity for deeper narrative development in series format.

As “Reacher” has been renewed for a fourth season even before the third’s premiere, there’s speculation about the adaptation of the novels “One Shot” and “Never Go Back.” Child shared his thoughts on revisiting these stories: “In my mind, they’re not done now,” he remarked.

“I would revisit them absolutely, but I think not as a matter of urgency. Let’s do something that hasn’t been done in any medium yet. But yeah, I would certainly do the ones that were features, but they’re on the back burner, rather than the next one.” This suggests that while these stories may be adapted in the future, the immediate focus is on bringing fresh narratives to the screen.

With the first three seasons available for streaming and new episodes of Season 3 releasing weekly, the series has proven its ability to captivate audiences with its faithful and expansive storytelling. As we look forward to Season 4, which is already written and scheduled for production in the summer, the anticipation builds not just for the upcoming season but for what might be in store beyond.

We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments below. What are your expectations for the future of “Reacher” on Prime Video?