By
Dhruv Sharma
Published 2 minutes ago
Dhruv is a Lead Writer in Screen Rant's New TV division. He has been consistently contributing to the website for over two years and has written thousands of articles covering streaming trends, movie/TV analysis, and pop culture breakdowns.
Before Screen Rant, he was a Senior Writer for The Cinemaholic, covering everything from anime to television, from reality TV to movies.
After high school, he was on his way to become a Civil Engineer. However, he soon realized that writing was his true calling. As a result, he took a leap and never looked back.
Sign in to your ScreenRant account
Summary
Generate a summary of this story
follow
Follow
followed
Followed
Like
Like
Thread
Log in
Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents:
Try something different:
Show me the facts
Explain it like I’m 5
Give me a lighthearted recap
The Jack Reacher book series' author, Lee Child, has officially confirmed he is stepping back from the franchise. This will not mark the end of the book series as his brother, Andrew Child, will continue writing the novels.
Given how consistently Lee Child shaped the Jack Reacher universe by delivering one compelling book after another, it is hard not to respect his decision. Even Andrew Child carrying the Reacher mantle gives the series' readers something interesting to look forward to.
However, there is one major way in which Lee Child's departure is hurting the entire Reacher franchise. It may be too soon to draw any conclusions about how this new phase of the franchise will impact the overarching Reacher brand. One cannot deny, though, that it comes with a significant problem.
Lee Child’s Confirmed Exit From Reacher Harms The Franchise In One Way
Before taking over the book series, Andrew Child co-authored several Jack Reacher books with Lee Child, including Exit Strategy, In Too Deep, and The Sentinel, among others. While the books have received a lukewarm response, Andrew Child seems to have captured the rhythm, tone, and grit that define stories unfolding in the Reacher universe.
Owing to this, the change of author is not necessarily harmful for the series. The problem, however, lies in the book series outstaying its welcome. As of now, there are a total of 30 Jack Reacher novels, which should have been a logical ending point for the series. Even from a storytelling standpoint, Jack Reacher should be old enough to hang up his boots.
With Lee Child's official departure, it would have also made sense for the book series to reach a natural conclusion. Unfortunately, by stretching the original story and timeline too far, the books risk causing franchise fatigue in readers. Not to mention, if the books become too redundant, they could risk diminishing the impact of the novel tropes and stories that once felt fresh and compelling.
Lee Child’s Original Reacher Ending Plan Sounds Far Better Than More Books
Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher in Reacher season 2, episode 8MovieStillsDB
Interestingly, Lee Child had initially planned a completely different fate for the books. As the author revealed (via Bruce Whitfield), he had envisioned a book titled Die Lonely in which Jack Reacher would bleed to death in "a filthy motel bathroom." When this seemed cruel, he considered a metaphorical death where Reacher would get a dog, rent a home, and finally settle down.
...the death of Jack Reacher would have been divisive, but it would have given the series a well-rounded and natural conclusion.
For obvious reasons, these ideas were eventually scrapped before Child decided to hand over the book series to his brother. In hindsight, the death of Jack Reacher would have been divisive, but it would have given the series a well-rounded and natural conclusion. If executed well, Reacher's death could have also immortalized him like other similar legendary characters like John Wick, Tony Stark, and Logan (Wolverine).
Prime Video’s Reacher Might Still Benefit From The Reacher Books’ New Direction
Alan Ritchson as Reacher looking to the right
Prime Video's Reacher might still benefit from the book series' new creative direction. A constant influx of new books ensures the franchise's ball keeps rolling even when no new Reacher or Neagley seasons are on the horizon. The books ensure that even between Reacher's seasons, audiences have access to new stories from the franchise that can fill the void.
Not to mention, even though Prime Video's Reacher has an abundance of source material already, a greater number of books would give the series more stories to choose from and potentially allow it to last longer.
Reacher
TV-MA
Crime
Drama
Action
Thriller
8/10
640
9.2/10
Release Date
February 3, 2022
Network
Prime Video
Cast
Alan Ritchson, Maria Sten, Malcolm Goodwin, Willa Fitzgerald, Serinda Swan, Chris Webster, Shaun Sipos, Bruce McGill, Ferdinand Kingsley, Robert Patrick, JD Smith, Kelsey Falconer, Lee Villeneuve, Eli Ham, Emeka Agada, Hazel Gorin, Nathaniel McParland, Connor Laidman, Darrin Maharaj, Drew Moss, Peter Skagen, Rohan Mead, Kaz Morgan, Zachary Gallegos, Scott Barker
Showrunner
Nick Santora
Directors
Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
Writers
Cait Duffy
Franchise(s)
Jack Reacher
Main Genre
Action
Genres
Crime, Drama, Action, Thriller
Creator(s)
Nick Santora
Producers
Agatha Barnes, Don Granger, Marcy Ross, Scott Sullivan, Nick Santora, Lee Child, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Paula Wagner, Sam Hill, Derek Rappaport, Sean Ryerson, Adam Higgs, Aadrita Mukerji, Penny Cox, Bill Bost
Seasons
3
Story By
nick santora
Streaming Service(s)
Prime Video
Where To Watch
Prime Video
Powered by
Expand
Collapse
-
Reacher
-
Prime Video
We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.
Be the first to post Images Attachment(s) Please respect our community guidelines. No links, inappropriate language, or spam.Your comment has not been saved
Send confirmation emailThis thread is open for discussion.
Be the first to post your thoughts.
- Terms
- Privacy
- Feedback
59 minutes ago
New Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloons Revealed: KPop Demon Hunters, Shrek's Family & More Take Over NYC Skies
15 hours ago
Pluribus' Better Call Saul Cameo "Terrified" Rhea Seehorn
2 hours ago
After 62 Years, Marvel's Two Strongest Heroes Finally Settle Who's Stronger
13 hours ago
5 Greatest Captain America Quotes Marvel Still Hasn't Topped
More from our brands
Alan Ritchson Promises 'Reacher' Season 4 Will Be "The Best Season We've Ever Made, by a Long Shot"
4 Years Later, Warner Bros. Scrapping Zack Snyder’s Justice League 2 Is Still the Best Decision the Studio Made
How Alan Ritchson's Height Compares to Jack Reacher's
What Happened to The Walking Dead Movies? Why AMC Scrapped Rick Grimes' Film Trilogy
Will There Be a Reacher Season 4? Everything We Know About the Future of the Show
Is ‘Reacher’ Getting a Season 4? Here’s What Know About the Future of Prime Video’s Hit Thriller
Stephen King Dropped a Jack Reacher Easter Egg Into This Novel
Trending Now
The Beatles Pulled Off Their Pettiest Chart Victory 25 Years Ago — And Artists Still Aren’t Over It
Stranger Things' Vecna Is Based On An '80s Horror Icon, But Not The One You Think
Oscars 2026 Best Director Predictions: Nominees & Winner
