Don’t want to go on this Cruise

I am a comparatively late arrival to the novels of Lee Child, having read my first 61 Hours, just late last year. I have read two more since then, Killing Floor and Die Trying, both of which I liked more than the first one I read, and am know starting my fourth, Tripwire. While reading these books I couldn’t help but wonder why anyone hadn’t optioned them for a motion picture.

Now I learn that not only has someone decided to bring Jack Reacher, the hero of Child’s novels, to the big screen but they are intent on ruining the entire experience by casting Tom Cruise, of all people, as Reacher.

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

Look: Jack Reacher stands 6-feet, 5-inches tall. When they were married, Nicole Kidman towered over Cruise (she still does, in more ways than just physical stature, but that’s a story for another time). Cruise is, shall we say, charming. Reacher is anything but.

Dolph Lundgren is too old to play Reacher by about 10 years, but that’s what’s needed — a Dolph Lundgren type, a James Arness type. Hey, if someone could teach him to act, the NBA player formerly known as Ron Artest could be an interesting choice. And, if he couldn’t act, he would still be a better choice than Cruise. How about European rugby star Lawrence Dallaglio. Examine his picture on this page and if you've ever read a Lee Child novel you have to admit he's Jack Reacher and not Tom Cruise.

Cruise at 6-5? Are they going to cast Munchkins in all the other roles?