Alan Ritchson hints Donald Trump’s re-election derailed plans to adapt his favorite Jack Reacher novel for Prime Video. The Alan Ritchson Says ‘Reacher’ Storyline Was Scrapped After Donald Trump’s Re-Election first appeared on The Blast

“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson has opened up about a scrapped plan for the hit Prime Video series. The actor suggested Donald Trump‘s return to the White House helped shelve an old, proposed iteration of the project.

Meanwhile, Season 5 is taking the action hero in a different direction, with a sinister missing-person case at the center of his next adventure.

Alan Ritchson Reveals Donald Trump’s Re-Election Derailed ‘Reacher’ Plans

Alan Ritchson says one of his favorite Jack Reacher stories nearly made it to television before the adaptation plans were dropped.

The “Reacher” star made the revelation while responding to a fan on Threads who wanted to see Lee Child’s “Die Trying” adapted for the Prime Video series. The 1998 novel, which is the second book in the franchise, pits Reacher against a white supremacist militia.

Ritchson revealed that the idea had progressed further than fans might have realized. “My favorite book,” the actor wrote, before adding, “Fun fact: I had it approved until someone got re-elected.”

Ritchson did not name Donald Trump in the post or explain who decided to abandon the adaptation. However, his reference to someone being “re-elected” appeared to point to Trump’s return to the White House following the 2024 presidential election. Bottom of Form

‘Reacher’ Season 5 Will Take On A Sinister New Mystery

While “Die Trying” may be off the table, “Reacher” isn’t exactly steering away from dark material for its next outing.

Season 5 will send Jack Reacher to Mother’s Rest, a small town surrounded by miles of wheat fields. His curiosity about the unusual name quickly gives way to a more urgent mystery when he meets private investigator Michelle Chang, whose partner has disappeared.

According to Amazon, the pair’s search eventually exposes a “dangerous and deadly criminal conspiracy.” Lee Child’s “Make Me,” however, hints at just how unsettling that investigation could become.

• Ritchson recently starred in the Amazon comedy “The Man with the Bag.”
• Fans thought the actor was filming a new series during a fight with his neighbor.
• Ritchson later recalled details of the viral fight.
• The neighbor made shocking claims after the beatdown.
• He ultimately dropped the charges.
• What Ritchson had to say after major Netflix decision.

‘Reacher’ Has Already Modernized Lee Child’s Source Material

“Reacher” has already shown that an older Lee Child novel doesn’t have to reach television with its original political backdrop intact.

Season 4 took on “Gone Tomorrow,” Child’s 2009 novel, but made significant changes to its politically sensitive plot. The original story was steeped in the post-9/11 era, with terrorism and the war in Afghanistan playing heavily into the mystery.

The Prime Video adaptation reworked those elements for a modern setting. Some characters were changed or replaced, and the conspiracy at the story’s heart was updated rather than recreating the book’s geopolitical backdrop exactly as written.

How Much Say Does Alan Ritchson Have Over ‘Reacher’ Stories?

Ritchson’s claim that he once had “Die Trying” approved also raises questions about how much influence the actor has over “Reacher’s” source material.

As it turns out, choosing the next book is a group effort. Ritchson explained ahead of Season 3 that several people involved with the show weigh in on which of Lee Child’s novels should get the TV treatment.

“We definitely talk about what book to do,” he told Forbes, pointing to longtime producer Don Granger as one of the voices involved. Granger optioned for the rights and began working with Child early in the franchise’s development.

Alan Ritchson Previously Unloaded On Trump Over Epstein Files

Ritchson’s apparent swipe at Trump wouldn’t be the first time the “Reacher” star has publicly gone after the president.

During a July appearance on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, the actor launched into an expletive-filled rant about the handling of files connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ritchson questioned why more information had not been released and argued that anyone implicated should be held accountable. He demanded greater transparency surrounding the files before telling the president, “Go to jail!”

The Alan Ritchson Says ‘Reacher’ Storyline Was Scrapped After Donald Trump’s Re-Election first appeared on The Blast