Among the most anticipated projects landing on the 2026 TV schedule is no doubt the fourth season of Reacher, as fans can’t get enough of watching Alan Ritchson’s nomadic bada-s putting his fist through other characters’ faces. The actor is well aware of its popularity, especially after it was recently renewed for Season 5, and he’s now made a big move to keep that creative relationship locked up.

Ritchson has agreed to a three-year, first-look TV deal with Amazon MGM Studios that will put him atop the chain of command for developing and producing new episodic projects for the studio aimed at those with Prime Video subscriptions. The deal was set up by Amazon MGM for Ritchson’s production company Dancing Skeleton, and will likely continue the actor’s growing involvement behind the scenes on the projects that he signs on to star in.

It’s a huge, if not entirely shocking, move for Ritchson to align himself with one studio, considering how wildly popular he’s become in the years since he first started playing one of author Lee Childs’ most beloved character. He’s clearly got a good thing going on Reacher, for which he’s also an executive producer, and which also has the Maria Sten-starring spinoff Neagley also hitting the service this year.

Alan Ritchson shared the following thoughts as his official statement, which lends to the belief that Reacher isn’t going away anytime soon. As he put it:

You might be wondering how the Titans vet can work on developing new TV projects while also managing to keep his abs ripped all the time, and…well…that’s just plain magic, I think.

Interestingly, the deal is specifically relegated to television content, and not film projects. That obviously lends itself to all things Reacher, but Ritchson has also been ramping up his filmography credits with movie roles, and has half-jokingly addressed his inability to say “no” to new roles. I’d think Netflix’s War Machine was his biggest hit from the past year.

That said, he also co-starred in the nutty comedy Play Date opposite Kevin James, which was a Prime Video original. And two of his already filmed upcoming projects are also plugged in at Amazon, making the TV deal seem all the more natural a pairing. Here's a look at all of the upcoming projects Ritchson has on the way (at least the ones that are in active development).

Here’s hoping we get an actual release date for Reacher Season 4 at some point soon, since we know that wrapped filming months ago. I assume we’ll be seeing Neagley first, given it came first in order of production, but who knows. Maybe with his new deal, the actor can demand that the newest episodes of the flagship series go live first, and then he’ll get YOU, my pretty, and your little dog, too.

Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson are certainly keeping themselves busy with multiple projects on the 2026 movie calendar, not to mention Ritchson’s continued success on Reacher. However, while fans wait on a release date for the Prime Video action series, it seems like they are finding new appreciation for a movie Ritchson and Cavill did together back in 2024. The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare is an under-rated gem, and it’s absolutely crushing on streaming right now.

Movie lovers with a Peacock subscription seem to have rediscovered The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, because according to the streaming service’s May 26 numbers, it holds the No. 1 movie spot, beating out titles like Another Man’s Wife (a romantic thriller starring Taye Diggs), Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair and the family-friendly Secret Life of Pets.

So why is The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare moving the needle now, two years after its release? The movie just landed on Peacock last week, so its subscribers may just now be getting a chance to see the film — or rewatch it, for that matter.

It doesn’t hurt that Alan Ritchson is always in high demand, and it’s been over a year now since Reacher Season 3 ended. One can only rewatch War Machine (streaming with a Netflix subscription) so many times, right?

However, I have to think that In the Grey's current run in theaters might also have something to do with it. Both the new release and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare were directed by Guy Ritchie, reuniting him not only with Henry Cavill but also Eiza González in one of her best roles.

In the Grey may have served as a reminder to audiences just how bizarrely fun a Nazi-killing movie can be. The movie received mixed reactions from critics at the time, but even with its tepid 68% Tomatometer score, audiences loved it, giving it a cumulative 91% on Rotten Tomatoes’ Popcornmeter. It seems even then that people knew The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare cast had set this movie up for long-term fandom, as reactions included:

• Great film wonderful cast chemistry under rated soon to be cult classic!!! – B
• There was no time to get a breather in between all the action! I enjoyed it immensely. – Mirabel
• Such a great spy thriller with the right amount of action and comedic witt! Masterful cast, classic Guy Ritchie film. They dont make them like this enough anymore. – David
• Never have I laughed so much with killing Nazis! Its goofy but cool at the same time. – Grae

We haven’t seen the last of Henry Cavill and Alan Ritchson on our screens this year. Cavill will reprise the role of Sherlock Holmes for Enola Holmes 3, while Ritchson has Runner and The Man with the Bag slated for 2026 releases.

However, it’s nice to have a little blast from the recent past to throw on in the meantime. If you haven’t seen The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, or just haven’t seen it in a while, head on over to Peacock and see why this title is so popular.

When it comes to the world of Prime Video’s Jack Reacher, our attention is currently on Season 4 of Reacher (which should premiere on the 2026 TV schedule) and its Season 5 renewal. However, I also haven’t forgotten about the Neagley spinoff that’s on its way too, and one of its stars opened up about what we need to know about it and how it differs from the flagship series.

Adeline Rudolph is the star I’m referring to, and she’s set to play Renee alongside Maria Sten’s Neagley in the upcoming Reacher spinoff. The series started filming in early 2025, and now the wait is on for Season 1’s release. So, Collider asked Rudolph about the new show, and she provided a tease that helps clarify the differences between Sten’s series and the Alan Ritchson-led project:

Well, I love the sound of that! As a fan of Reacher, the last season got me very stoked for Neagley. She’s been a mainstay on the show since Season 1, and I feel the potential for her to lead her own series. What makes me even more excited is the fact that it will be a bit tonally different. While Rudolph didn’t elaborate on what exactly that means, I generally love the idea of this show differentiating itself from the flagship series by way of its tone.

Now, right before the actress noted how the two shows differ, Rudolph also called out some other things that excite her about this spinoff. Hyping up the project’s star, Maria Sten, and more, she said:

Alright, let’s break all that down. First, Sten has been hyping up Neagley and sharing updates about the production for a long time now. Her enthusiasm for the project is infectious, she’s been candid about how hard the work has been, and I cannot wait to see her back in action. So, to hear Rudolph compliment the lead was wonderful.

Secondly, Damon Herriman was a fun name to hear. He’s set to play Lawrence Cole in Neagley. Sadly, we don’t know much about his new character or Rudolph’s. However, what is exciting is that the two actors both worked on Mortal Kombat II as well! Rudolph played Kitana while Herriman portrayed Quan Chi, and they just released the film on the 2026 movie schedule. So, it will be fun to see them in another project together.

Overall, this update was very nice as we continue to wait for Neagley. It also helped us Reacher fans set our expectations as we prepare for the series’ first spinoff.

Right now, Neagley does not have a release date. However, the hope is that it’ll premiere in 2026 alongside Season 4 of Reacher. So, as we learn more about this spinoff, we’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, you can go see Neagley in the first three seasons of Reacher with an Amazon Prime subscription.

With the standalone Jack Ryan movie set to drop this month on Prime Video, action TV fans are getting antsy about the eventual return of Reacher for what'll presumably be a bone-shattering fourth season. We still haven’t actually seen any footage, though star Alan Ritchson has made it clear his nomadic bada-s will be as bloody as ever for his next self-assigned mission. But before any of that happens, fans can already celebrate getting more Reacher even beyond the 2026 TV schedule.

Yes, Prime Video has officially ordered up a fifth season of Reacher, which is as strong a sign of the platform’s confidence as anything, considering neither Season 4 nor Maria Sten’s Neagley spinoff has premiered yet. (Not that anyone should expect both of those seasons to take sudden nosedives in viewership.) To be expected, Ritchson took to Instagram to share the news with his followers, but I don’t think anyone could have expected his announcement to actually be a veiled complaint about his slobbery dog. Here's what he had to say (the post can be viewed lower down):

Most TV actors would be treating this news as if nothing else could possibly be more important, but Alan Ritchson isn't "most TV actors." He's Reacher, dangit. And Reacher doesn't like having sheets all over his gawd-mn couches because his beast of a pet can't stop leaving his doggie DNA everywhere. Season 5 is great, but sitting on dry and furless couch cushions is everything. (That goes double for when the ripped actor is shirtless, which seems to be often enough.)

As it often goes with Ritchson's sillier posts, the comment section is fully alive with congratulatory Reacher fans, quite a few horned-up and thirsty Ritchson fans, and plenty of people who are completely taking Bear's side and agruing that it's his world that Ritchson is butting into. More on those in a sec, because we're making way for a comment from his former Blue Mountain State co-star:

• PAGE KENNEDY: I’m def coming to play season 5

I can't speak with certainly for how much the BMS and Reacher fanbases coincide, but it's definitely not a net zero. Expect some huge celebrations if a Thad and Radon reunion actually does happen in Season 5.

Now check out a selection of Bear-supporting comments from a bunch of people that Ritchson hasn't shared the screen with before:

• That’s Bear claiming the couch coz he believes you’ll be too busy filming Reacher season 5 to properly use it anyway 😋😆😆 Congrats on the new season! 🙌🙌🔥 - @chiqui_cat
• Little Bear deserves that couch! Sweet wittle cutie patootie! Can't wait for Reacher to come back! Love this man! - @courtneyaharrison_
• Burying the headline!! SEASON 5!!!!! Heck yeah!!! 🙌🙌🙌. (But what a handsome pupper!!) - @2goldens2birds
• Sorry @alanritchson Bear is the man of the house you just live there❤️🤷🏾‍♀️😂😂😂😂😂😂 - @naomilazare
• Why are you beefing with Bear’s couch? - @hi.this.is.tatum
• A couch wit no Bear is like a bed with no mattress. Bear on couch it is 😌 - @cecilecubilo
• I feel like it should totally have a dog on a couch in an episode and have Reacher break the 4th wall and stare at the camera in disgust, lol - @everydayclark

I love how many people just instantly take the dog's side. Maybe he's posting videos on Doggy Instagram where he's complaining that Ritchson keeps his couches too clean, and doesn't have enough slobber on anything in the house.

Check out Ritchson's full post below, whether your're more pumped about Season 5 or about adorable pups.

Unfortunately, we don't even have a Reacher Season 4 premiere date to look forward to just yet. Just like we don't know whether or not War Machine 2 is happening with Lionsgate and Netflix, and we also don't know much about Ritchson's upcoming Survivor-esque reality show. So I guess just rewatch the first three seasons via Amazon Prime subscription and hope for more info soon.

Jack Ryan may have ended its four-season run on Prime Video after four seasons, but the John Krasinski-led franchise is returning by way of a new film, subtitled Ghost War, that’s set to hit the 2026 movie schedule. The existence of the follow-up flick is a testament to the IP’s continued popularity as well as the buzz surrounding the Tom Clancy TV universe as a whole. Given that, CinemaBlend recently asked Krasinski about the notion of crossing over with Alan Ritchson’s Reacher. However, Krasinski's idea got me even more excited.

Considering the ongoing success of the Clancy shows, it would just make too much sense to have some cross-pollination. Jack Ryan and the record-breaking Reacher honestly do feel like a match made in high-octane heaven. When I spoke to Krasinski in promotion of Ghost War, he didn’t confirm whether or not he’d spoken to Prime Video about having Ryan cross paths with other do-gooders. However, he did confirm that he’d spoken to a fellow A-lister about bringing back their Clancy character:

Michael B. Jordan notably plays the role of John Kelly in 2021’s Without Remorse, and the film sees Kelly – a former Navy SEAL – on a quest for retribution following the deaths of his wife and unit cohorts. Honestly, I hadn’t even considered the notion of Jordan (a newly minted Oscar winner) reprising Kelly let alone teaming up with Jack Ryan. However, the thought of such a crossover is just too cool to ignore, and it delights me that John Krasinski has apparently even spoken to the Creed star about it.

Of course, as mentioned, Jordan’s availability is a factor, but I think this project is worth pursuing. Jordan would lend a considerable amount of star power to an already-flourishing franchise. Not only that, but he and Krasinski could make for an imposing on-screen duo. Like the A Quiet Place star, Jordan can also bring a significant level of physicality to the proceedings. After all, Jordan did have to do quite a bit of training for Without Remorse, and he even learned to hold his breath under water for nearly three minutes.

While I’d be down to see Jack to team up with John, I still wouldn’t turn my nose up if Jack Reacher were to be involved. Alan Ritchson remains a star in his own right, and I could easily see him and Krasinski standing alongside each other. I honestly still think that could happen at some point, and Krasinski seems to like the notion of more crossovers as well:

A crossover may not be announced right now, but Prime Video subscription holders still have plenty to look forward to when it comes to Tom Clancy-related content. Ghost War aside, there’s also the upcoming fourth season of Reacher, which has also been renewed for Season 5. Aldis Hodge’s Cross is also returning for a third season and, on that note, it’d be great to see Alex Cross join forces with another character as well. In the meantime, though, I just hope the producers will keep a seat warm for Michael B. Jordan.

For right now, though, look forward to streaming Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War on Prime Video, as it hits the streamer on May 20. Prepare yourself for John Krasinski's reprisal by streaming all four seasons of the show now. Also, stream Without Remorse while you're at it.

When it comes to 2026 movie releases finding success on streaming, there’s few big wins like War Machine. The action/sci-fi flick that reminded us of the original Predator still boasts a spot on the Netflix top ten right now, even though it’s been out for two months now. So, I’d think it’d be a shoe-in for an Alan Ritchson-led sequel, but then I heard what one head honcho thought about it.

What The Lionsgate Film Head Said About A War Machine Sequel

Even though War Machine got a Netflix release through and through, it was actually produced by Lionsgate, with the original intention to bring it to theaters. However, the studio ultimately decided to make it a streaming movie, and that absolutely worked in the movie’s favor given all the people who are watching it with their Netflix subscription.

When Lionsgate’s film head Adam Fogelson was asked about a War Machine sequel, I figured he’d be all for it, but in a new interview with Business Insider Fogelson didn’t have much to say about another movie starring big star, Alan Ritchson. He apparently isn’t “ready” to announce a followup, and when asked whether another instalment could go theatrical, he said this:

Hey, I could be reading this wrong, but it doesn’t exactly sound like Fogelson’s amped to give us more War Machine. Chances are it’s just too early for the film head to discuss continuing the franchise at this time, but considering all the good buzz about the movie I guess I expected a bit more from the head honcho. We’ll have to wait and see what happens, of course.

What Has Been Said About Another War Machine Movie?

Contrary to Fogelson’s tight-lipped words on War Machine 2, the writer/director of the movie Patrick Hughes has definitely shared his interest in another movie. While he originally thought of it as a “fully formed standalone story,” he’s since said that he’d be absolutely “ready to pull the trigger” and has “sketched” out what happens next already. Alan Ritchson is also on board with it, and is already calling it War Machines - perhaps as a little homage to the title of the first Alien sequel.

It would probably come down to how the actor would be able to fit it into his schedule given he’s been everywhere lately. Ritchson has his own survival competition show for Netflix on the way and always seems to have his Reacher abs maintained for the next installment. The fourth season of the Prime series is expected to come out this year, so there will definitely be more chances for the actor to advocate for more War Machine movies.

Have you ever read about an upcoming show and realized you’re the exact target audience? Well, that’s pretty much where I’m at with a new Netflix project. The untitled reality competition show (check) is hosted by Alan Ritchson (check) and looks to be a blend of social strategy (check) and real tests of survival (check). Yeah, as a Survivor/ Traitors/ Eco-Challenge/ Amazing Race fan, it’s exactly what I’m looking for. I’m even hyped on the rumored cast too, at least apart from two frustrating decisions.

Let’s get to the negatives later though. First, let’s talk about who is rumored to actually be on the show. The Instagram account Reality TV Fan, which is typically a very reliable source for casting news in the reality community, dropped a bunch of names over the weekend, and we’ve got some heavy hitters that should appeal to different fandoms. There’s some Survivor representation (Natalie Anderson and Andrea Boehlke), some Bachelor standouts (Corinne Olympios, Matt James and Jason Tartick) and even the always popular Tom Sandoval. You can check out the full list below…

I’m certainly not going to complain about who was picked. This group looks like it’s going to be a really nice blend of personalities and assumedly, a wide range of actual survival skills. We don’t know the full format of the competition, but diversity in ability level is almost always the right approach to casting a show like this. Besides, the execs over at Bunim/ Murray have been swimming in the reality TV pool for decades. They know what they’re doing.

That being said, we also have rumors of who the two alternates that got cut are, and I’m screaming internally at what we missed out on. Christian de la Torre, best known for the chaos he caused on the US version of Traitors Season 1, was apparently in the casting process until the end and got the boot. He was heavily rumored to be on a season of Beast Games and was reportedly an alternate that was cut too; so, that makes this doubly sad.

In addition to Christian, Lauren O’Connell was apparently also cut at the last minute. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because she was a prominent character on Survivor’s Edge Of Extinction season. She was perhaps overshadowed a little by the outrageous chaos of Rick Devens, but her determination in challenges and fun energy would have likely been real good fits in a competition like this. I’ll be watching the season and wondering in the back of my head what she would have brought.

It’s unclear when this untitled series might air or even get a name, but considering we’re getting all these pretty extensive casting rumors, I’d imagine that means the show is filming or about to start filming. That could mean we’ll see it on Netflix later this year. Whenever it gets here, expect to see a bunch of outdoorsy challenges that likely have more in common with early seasons of Survivor than something like The Amazing Race. Also expect to see host Alan Ritchson show everyone what a beast he is in real life too.

Alan Ritchson has found his name in the news a lot recently, despite the fact that we’re still waiting for news on when the next season of Reacher might air. His popularity has been two-fold, as he’s the star of a recent hit Netflix movie, War Machine, and has been at the center of controversy following a physical altercation caught on video between him and a neighbor.

While Ritchson was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing, the initial video showed him striking another man repeatedly on a city street. That might have caused some fans of Ritchson to question him, but one person who clearly didn’t was the actor’s War Machine co-star Blake Richardson. He recently took to Instagram to sing the praises of the actor whom he had admired for a long time. Richardson wrote:

Richardson goes on to say that he found Alan Ritchson to be both incredibly hard working on the set as well as gracious, while also shouting out the actor's role in the comedy Blue Mountain State, which is where many fans likely first discovered him. Unless that is, you remember him flirting with Paula Abdul on American Idol.

Ritchson apparently invited the cast to his place for dinner with his family after the first day of shooting. This allowed the cast to get to know each other and have fun together, which made the rest of what Blake Richardson calls a “grueling and physically demanding shoot.”

The only problem that apparently sprang up is that Richardson’s character in War Machine clashes with Ritchson’s, and the fact that he liked the Reacher star so much potentially made it difficult for him to act like he didn’t. Richardson added:

People looking for flaws in Alan Ritchson may have felt they founds them after video went viral that showed Ritchson striking another man on the street. However, initial impressions were not what they appeared to be. Later bodycam video revealed that Ritchson had not been the aggressor in the altercation, which had been over noise the actor and his sons were allegedly making on motorcycles. It was ultimately Ritchson who was given the opportunity to press criminal charges, though he reportedly declined to do so.

Blake Richardson’s comments certainly reinforce the idea of Alan Ritchson as a standup guy, which likely puts his fans at ease. Check out his post below.

Anybody who had been looking forward to the new season of Reacher can seemingly do so with a clear conscience. Alan Ritchson is a good guy. The people who know him confirm it.

Alan Ritchson always seems to be ripped; that’s not a secret. He works constantly, and more often than not, he’s pulling off difficult action sequences in said work. That’s especially true for Reacher. So, he has to stay in tip-top shape. However, you might think that when a show like that wraps, he relaxes a bit at the gym. But guess what? He doesn't, and he just explained why he keeps the six-pack during the off-season in a shirtless gym post.

Now, Reacher Season 4 wrapped production in November 2025. Then, in March 2026, Ritchson updated us, explaining that he’d finished ADR and the show would be “hitting the airwaves very soon.” However, just because they’ve wrapped another season of this Prime Video show does not mean the titular star is going to stop staying in Jack Reacher shape, as he posted on Instagram:

Well, the photo speaks for itself. Alan Ritchson is in fantastic shape. However, there are deep reasons behind this choice to essentially stay in Reacher shape. While he could cool down the workouts a bit in the off-season, I have mad respect for why he really doesn’t. In the words of the actor:

Clearly, the War Machine star has made staying in impeccable shape part of his day-to-day life. It obviously has tons of benefits too. The photo shows that off, however, as the actor said, consistency has lots of other benefits too. For example, I'd assume it will be easier for him to hop right back into work if Reacher gets renewed for a fifth season.

Now, speaking of Reacher, I’m hopeful that Season 4 will premiere on the 2026 TV schedule. It seems very possible, and my excitement for it only grows every time the Playdate actor talks about it.

I’m not kidding, the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation has been very hyped up by Ritchson. At first, he was worried it wouldn’t top Season 3, but he quickly realized that this new installment is “different,” and he said that he thinks it's “for sure the best season.”

Along with the actor explaining how great he thinks the season is, he also called out the action in it. At one point, he said what we’re about to see is so “high octane” that people should check their “heart health” before they watch. Well, considering the fights he got in during Season 3 and his pristine physique, I have no doubt Ritchson and his crew figured out how to up the action ante for Season 4.

So, get ready, folks. Clearly, Alan Ritchson is committed to the part (even during his off-time), and he’s confident in what they’re about to deliver to fans. With that said, make sure you have your Amazon Prime subscriptions ready. Reacher is coming back.

Meanwhile, Alan Ritchson’s abs aren’t going anywhere.

American Idol has made some music stars household names over the years. It’s also turned some of its also-rans into viral sensations. However, sometimes people who have auditioned for the show have gone on to become famous in their own right. Such was the case with Reacher star Alan Ritchson.

If you’re a fan of Idol, or of Ritchson, or you just spend far too many hours of your life on the internet, there’s a good chance you already knew that Alan Ritchson once auditioned for American Idol. The fact that he attempted to charm his way onto the Idol stage by serenading Paula Abdul is well-known. But if you haven’t seen the clip before, you really need to. It really is a hilarious preface to the actor's machismo-driven career path.

For as many people who have seen this clip before, there are always those for whom it is new when it ends up making the rounds on social media. It’s honestly worth it to see it every now and then because the reactions are always great. Comments here include:

• Alan Ritchson has always been hot before be beefed up. - @AreYourOrLah
• Crazy fit for AI? Alan Ritchson in Idol era must’ve been a vibe. - @yappingbucket
• wait alan ritchson on idol? that's wild - @UseVektorizeAI
• Don't think ive ever seen Reacher smile, nevermind sing - @gigidygigidygo

While some in the comments are critical of Ritchson’s singing, I’d argue he’s not all that bad. It’s difficult to imagine that he was ever going to win American Idol, but the guy can carry a tune.

The fact that we’re seeing this clip again is no accident. Ritchson’s name has been in the news recently following a physical altercation with a neighbor that resulted in a very different video going viral, one that showed Ritchson striking a man several times. In the end, it was Ritchson who was offered the opportunity to press charges in the incident, as the police believed the other man could be charged with reckless endangerment, but Ritchson declined.

The time will probably come several years down the line when the video of Ritchson's physical altercation will go viral again, and a lot of people will be surprised by it, having never seen it before.

For those fans keeping score, Alan Ritchson received three positive votes for his little serenade, but he was eliminated early in Season 3, before American Idol reached the final 32 contestants. No need to worry about him fizzling out of Hollywood, however, as indicated by all of his successes.

Ritchson recently wrapped post-production on Season 4 of Reacher, which is promised soon. He’s also expected to appear in the upcoming spinoff series Neagley. Both shows are available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Some use their Prime Video subscription to watch Alan Ritchson get physical in the hit series Reacher, but the past week has seen him in headlines for a brawl that has nothing to do with the show. A viral video showing the actor in a physical altercation with a neighbor spread quickly online, prompting questions about what happened before and after the footage began. It wasn’t long before authorities determined Ritchson acted in self-defense and that he was the one who could have filed charges. Now, with the incident behind Ritchson, one of his co-stars is weighing in on the viral scuffle.

Speaking with Page Six at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards, Agnez Mo addressed the incident directly, confirming she had spoken with Alan Ritchson since the bodycam footage surfaced. Mo did not hesitate when asked about the situation, saying:

Based on initial footage, it seemed Alan Ritchson had initiated the altercation, but additional details have since emerged. According to reports, neighbor Ronnie Taylor confronted the Ninja Turtles alum in the street and allegedly ran in front of his motorcycle, causing him to crash before continuing to escalate the situation. Ritchson reportedly attempted to leave, but the encounter turned physical after further pushing, which Taylor later acknowledged in statements following the incident. It was sometime later that authorities reviewed the situation and determined the TV star acted in self-defense, closing the case without charges.

Mo, who is set to appear in Reacher Season 4 when it lands on the 2026 TV schedule, described Ritchson in terms that contrast sharply with the tone of the viral clips. About the star of the Netflix action romp War Machine, she had this to say:

While the incident sparked online debate, Mo indicated that her response was more private than public, as she sent her co-star some “great vibes and positive affirmations.” The Fast X performer has not directly addressed the altercation in detail, though he did reference a “crazy week” in recent social media posts tied to finishing post-production work on the fourth season of his Prime Video show.

Production on the latest season of the book-to-screen adaptation of Lee Child’s best-selling novels, wrapped in December 2025 after several months of filming. While specific plot details remain under wraps, Agnez Mo indicated that those involved in the production are confident in how the season turned out, suggesting it could stand among the show’s strongest entries.

Mo joins Season 4 as Lila Hoth, a character positioned as a love interest for Jack Reacher. The role marks her first appearance in the series, and her comments about both the production and her co-star Alan Ritchson point to a positive experience on set. If early impressions hold, the next chapter looks set to continue the series’ emphasis on physically demanding, high-intensity storytelling that has defined Reacher so far. All of that aside, time will tell if any other members of the cast decide to speak out about Ritchson's incident.

As we continue to wait for Reacher Season 4, Alan Ritchson is throwing it back to that epic Paulie vs. Reacher fight from Season 3. In it, the titular character and his massive adversary got into a big fight, and it included them brawling in the water. Well, it turns out Ritchson had to deal with a pretty severe injury as they worked on this sequecne all because he decided to get a tattoo right before he filmed it.

We already knew that this fight in Reacher was “the most physically demanding thing” for both Ritchson and Olivier Richters, who played Paulie. (Just watch the show with an Amazon Prime subscription and you’ll see what I mean.) However, it turns out there was another painful challenge involved with creating it, too, because the Jack Reacher actor got a tattoo right before they filmed the underwater portion of the flight. Explaining all this to GQ, Alan Ritchson said:

No, it’s not a good time to get a tattoo, because you are supposed to wait until it's healed to go swimming. Dr. Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist, told Allure that people should expect to wait “at least three weeks” before going swimming after getting new ink to let their skin heal.

People shouldn’t submerge their tattoos in water, like a pool, lake or ocean, because when you get a tattoo, it “creates intentional injury to the skin,” which means it can get infected easily, the actcile noted. Dr. Murphy-Rose specifically noted that “water can be contaminated and increases risks to a healing tattoo.” And that can lead to “scarring, ruining a tattoo,” and a slower healing process.

It sounds like what this doctor warned about is what Ritchson had to deal with, as he explained:

Well, it would seem the reward was greater than the risk for Ritchson. He alluded to that point too, by explaining he had to get the tattoo when he did because of how little time he has off. So, he had to do what he had to do, and that meant getting inked literally one day before he had to film a gnarly water fight. Speaking about his choice, he said:

I mean, in the end, he didn’t lose his arm, and his lighthouse tattoo is gorgeous. However, he did go down a wild and injury-inducing road to get there.

Hopefully, there wasn’t an experience like this while he filmed Reacher Season 4 (which just wrapped). However, I’m sure if it did, Ritchson will share the tale. He’s never been afraid to tell them before, and we know he’ll always commit to whatever he’s making – even if it means injuring himself in the process.

Alan Ritchson has been in the news a lot recently for something other than his work in TV and film. Following the release of viral videos showing the actor in a physical altercation with another man, Ritchson largely stayed off social media. But now that the issue appears to be behind him, he’s calling out the “haters” of his new Netflix movie and having fun doing it.

War Machine, available with a Netflix subscription, is getting generally positive responses from critics and fans, even though the film is being called "absurd." It has remained in Netflix’s Top 10 since it was released, which shows it's clearly getting a lot of eyeballs. While most people think the movie is some good fun, there have apparently been some detractors out there complaining about its lack of a realistic story, given Ritchson’s age and his place in the military in the movie. However, it appears the actor is having the last laugh on Instagram. Check it out.

Previously, the maximum enlistment age for the United States Army and most other military branches was 35, but that cap was just raised to 42. Alan Ritchson turned 43 years old last November, but that means he was no older than 42 at the time he filmed War Machine. His age may have seemed out of place before, but right now, it actually fits. As he says, War Machine now feels “prophetic.”

As Ritchson points out, the age of his character was specifically dealt with in the movie. The movie did address the fact that 81 (as the character is only ever known) was so much older than everybody else, so it’s not like it was completely ignored. While I’m sure not everybody is happy with the explanation, there at least was one.

The Reacher actor is probably quite happy to have something else to talk about that isn’t the recent viral video that showed him striking another man on a suburban street. While the initial video leak appeared to show Ritchson as the aggressor, other reports, as well as a later video that appeared to be shot from a body cam the actor was wearing, showed the other man started the altercation, and prevented Ritchson from an initial attempt to end it.

He still hasn’t made any public comment about the incident, only making a single Instagram post that included a Napoleon quote while the other man was giving interviews. In the end, it was Ritchson who was given the option to press charges in the incident, though he has declined to do so.

Ritchson is seemingly moving on now, and he's clearly not holding back when it comes to talking about his work.

So, with all that said, while War Machine was apparently not written with sequels in mind, the possibility of them is open following the film's success. If that happens, I'm sure some "haters" will find something new to complain about.

Alan Ritchson has always been good at keeping us updated about his book-to-screen adaptation of Reacher. He’s keeping that up, too, because while we’ve known that he’s been working on Season 4 of Reacher, we weren’t sure when we’d get to see it. Well, now the star has provided an update about when this action-packed series will be “hitting the airwaves.”

It’s been a little over a year since we watched Season 3 of Reacher, which included that epic Reacher and Paulie fight and so many other memorable action moments. Now, it seems possible that we’ll get to watch Season 4 and a whole bunch of new action-packed scenes very soon, as Alan Ritchson took to Instagram to say:

In his caption, the actor specifically noted that this was a “wrap for [him] on post-production,” which means he really is done with Season 4. So, I feel like the odds of seeing it on the 2026 TV schedule are very high.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Ritchson really does mean we’ll be seeing Season 4 “very soon” too. Taking a look back, after Season 1 came out in February 2022, Season 2 followed in December 2023 after being delayed by strikes. However, a little over a year later, Season 3 premiered for those with an Amazon Prime subscription in February 2025. So, considering the show didn't face delays as it has in the past, it'd make sense if Season 4 dropped a little over a year after the last season came out.

Plus, Ritchson is all done with his ADR. That means he’s gone in and fixed all the audio and dialogue that needed to be redone in post-production. Therefore, they’re getting very close to having the episodes of Reacher ready for us.

Along with the release update, Ritchson also shared how proud he is of Season 4. While he was nervous that it wouldn’t top Season 3, he’s proven himself wrong. Over the last few months, the actor has been clear about this too, saying at one point that what’s coming next is “so different, and so unexpected.”

When the show wrapped on Season 4 late last year, it looked like the actor had been through a literal blood bath. So, whatever is coming next is bound to be high-octane and intense, which is what we’ve come to expect and love about Reacher.

Now, when it comes to what to expect “very soon,” we know Season 4 will be an adaptation of the book Gone Tomorrow. That novel follows Reacher as he races through New York City after meeting a mysterious woman on a subway, and he faces deception and lots of folks trying to kill him. So, it sounds like we’re in for a wild ride.

It seems like we’ll get to go on that wild ride soon, too! So, get ready, folks, Season 4 of Reacher has wrapped, and according to Alan Ritchson, we should be seeing this show’s “best season yet” on our screens “very soon.”

The attention on Alan Ritchson for the last few days has been the kind that most celebrities try to avoid. While most people enjoy using their Prime Video subscription to watch Alan Ritchson get physical, things got a little real recently after a viral video showed the actor in a fight with another man on the side of the road. Now, however, it appears the incident has reached a conclusion as no criminal charges are being filed, and Ritchson was the one who declined to press them.

While the video that went viral certainly indicated the possibility that charges could have been filed against Ritchson, it doesn’t appear that was ever considered. Instead, the option to press charges was open to Ritchson, but he has apparently decided to leave the issue behind him. In a statement (via USA Today), Brentwood, Tennessee, Police Department Captain Steven Pepin wrote:

The initial video that hit online showed a fairly one-sided affair where a man who appeared to be Ritchson struck another man, identified as Ronnie Taylor, several times before riding away on his motorcycle. However, even early on, it was being reported that what happened at the beginning of the altercation, before the video started, showed that Taylor may have been the actual physical instigator.

Taylor later spoke to TMZ and admitted to pushing Ritchson a couple of times before Ritchson “kicked the crap” out of him. Although he implied it was only because Ritchson was coming towards him on his bike.

A second video that is apparently a body cam worn by Ritchson shows a man identified as Taylor stepping out in front of Ritchson’s bike, causing Ritchson to slam on his brakes and fall before a verbal exchange begins. Ritchson does push Taylor, but then attempts to walk away before things escalate.

With this, the altercation between the two is likely over, though the possibility of civil litigation certainly still exists if either man believes they have a case. More than likely, this will simply fall into the history of times that celebrities have gotten into fights on video. Ritchson certainly isn't the first to find himself in this position.

Ritchson had made no public comments during the investigation, posting only a quote from Napoleon about not interrupting your enemy while they are making mistakes. Now that the investigation is closed, perhaps Ritchson will speak out on her perspective, or maybe this will all fade into the background, and fans can simply focus on the upcoming Reacher spinoff and the new season of the series.

Alan Ritchson’s name is in the news, but unfortunately, it's not because of his surprise hit Netflix movie, or the fact that a new season of Reacher is on the way. The actor is in the middle of a situation that has a lot of people asking questions after a video surfaced of him striking another man on a suburban street. Now Ritchson has made his first public comment, of a sort, since the incident. Meanwhile, the other man involved is saying a great deal more.

How Alan Ritchson Has Responded Following Viral Video

Yesterday, a video went viral that showed Ritchson striking a man on a suburban street. According to reports, there had been an altercation between the two over Ritchson and his two sons allegedly speeding through the neighborhood. While the video showed Ritchson as the aggressor, at least one report claims the other man, identified as Ronnie Taylor, put his hands on Ritchson first.

Alan Ritchson has remained quiet for the last day, with no official statement or interview being released giving his side of the story. However, he did make a not-so-cryptic post to Instagram in the wake of the video, making it clear there’s a particular reason he’s not talking.

Ritchson seems to feel that Taylor talking to the press about the altercation is ultimately going to backfire. As such, he’s going to let him continue to do so, while staying quiet himself. And Taylor is talking.

What Ronnie Taylor Is Saying About His Altercation With Alan Ritchson

Ronnie Taylor has given his side of the story speaking with TMZ. According to him, Ritchson and his sons had been making a great deal of noise, and driving too fast through the neighborhood. Taylor says he had no idea who Ritchson was, but after the actor had come down the street too fast previously, he walked out to try and get him to slow down. Taylor said…

Taylor seemingly admitting that he put his hands on Ritchson first may be exactly what the actor is referring to with his Napoleon quote. Police are reportedly investigating the incident, but thus far, no charges have been filed.

Alan Ritchson will next be seen in Neagley, the upcoming Reacher spinoff. The fourth season of Reacher will follow that. Both shows will be available with a Prime Video subscription.

Given the success of his latest movie, the Netflix action romp War Machine, Alan Ritchson has been making headlines for weeks now, usually in relation to doing many of his own stunts and getting bruised and battered while filming. He was at the center of a completely different kind of story on Sunday evening, however, when a phone-recorded video hit the internet showing the Reacher star getting physical with a neighbor in Brentwood, TN.

Though the details were few and far between when the video was first uploaded, and it appeared as if Ritchson was swinging fists at someone unprovoked, more (alleged) facts have surfaced during the time that it started to spread online. According to TMZ, the actor was riding his motorcycle through his neighborhood, with his two children following behind him on their mini bikes. The neighbor, who’s reportedly been identified as Ronnie Taylor, is said to have run out into the street in an attempt to stop Ritchson’s bike.

Taylor, whose actions were described as being “really aggressive” caused Ritchson to fall and crash his bike into the ground. (The actor is said to have suffered a minor injury to one of his fingers, as well as several cuts and bruises.) Afterward, the neighbor allegedly yelled at Ritchson while he was on the ground, daring the Titans vet to hit him. Ritchson initially didn’t feed into the neighbor’s challenges, and attempted to get back on his bike to ride away.

This is allegedly where things got physical between the two, as Taylor is said to have pushed Ritchson down to the ground, sparking the musclebound actor to get up and start swinging. Around this time is when the video recording started, with Ritchson seen standing above Taylor on all fours, swinging his fist and presumably connecting. After a few swings, Ritchson walks away from the man and makes a point of pulling his bike out of the middle of the street and over to the side.

Taylor gets up not long afterward and is still pretty clearly upset, and makes a point of yelling a few more things at Ritchson as the actor gets his bike set and ready to drive off again. It doesn’t appear as if either of his children were directly involved, and no arrests were made in the aftermath. The police were called to the scene, and Ritchson was reportedly cooperative the whole time.

According to TMZ, Ronnie Taylor accused Ritchson of riding his motorcycle down the neighborhood streets at high speeds for two days in a row. He said he called out the actor for his dangerous driving habits, which is what started their skirmish.

Alan Ritchson has quite a few new projects on the way that this altercation hopefully won’t cause any hiccups for. There’s the bloody new action movie Runner, there’s the highly anticipated Reacher spinoff focusing on Maria Sten, there’s the already wrapped Reacher Season 4, and plenty of hopes for a War Machine 2 to happen.

Alan Ritchson has become one of those actors who seems to fully embrace the physical demands of every new action movie role. Between his work on Reacher and his growing slate of projects, the actor has built a reputation for jumping into the toughest parts of a scene whenever possible. That approach was definitely on display while filming Netflix’s War Machine, where Ritchson tackled some pretty intense water-based stunts. What surprised me most, though, is that even after seeing the lengths he went to for some of the film’s river and underwater sequences, the production still needed not one but two stunt doubles for certain shots.

Ritchson recently shared a behind-the-scenes clip on his personal Instagram that shows just how much effort he put into those moments. The video, which you can check out below, features the actor plunging into a raging river while filming the sequence, alongside commentary from one of the stunt performers. The stunt double even jokes about how talented he is and how the actor doing so much of his own stunt work could end up putting him out of a job:

In the post, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles veteran also took a moment to shout out his stunt team, specifically thanking his two doubles, Ryan Tarran and Luke Davis. In the caption, Ritchson even pointed out that the “biggest bruise” he’d ever seen belonged to Tarran, a reminder that while the actor does a lot of the physical work himself, the stunt performers are still the ones taking some of the hardest hits.

Even with two doubles involved in the production, the behind-the-scenes footage makes it clear that Alan Ritchson handled a significant portion of the action himself. In the clip, he explains why he tries to perform as many stunts as possible himself, saying it ultimately comes down to giving audiences the most immersive experience he can. He shared:

One of the stunt performers in the video even jokes that when you have “a talented action hero like Alan,” it can make life a little stressful for the stunt team trying to stay employed. Of course, the comment is clearly made in good fun, but it does highlight just how much of the physical work Ritchson was willing to take on himself.

And the river sequence wasn’t the only demanding moment he tackled. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire performer also committed to some challenging underwater scenes for the film. In another behind-the-scenes clip shared by Netflix, the Reacher star can be seen walking along the bottom of a swimming pool toward the camera while holding dumbbells, staying submerged for nearly two minutes as part of the stunt preparation.

Even though Ritchson clearly handled a huge portion of the physical work, having two stunt doubles allowed the production to capture certain angles and repeat especially difficult movements without pushing the actor too far. It’s a pretty common approach in action filmmaking, especially when scenes involve water or other unpredictable elements.

Between the breath-holding, underwater walking, and the physical toll of filming in rough river conditions, Alan Ritchson clearly put in the effort to make the sequence feel as authentic as possible. And, based on the impressive viewership numbers War Machine has pulled in, audiences seem to be responding. But you don’t have to take my word for it—you can check out the action-packed 2026 movie schedule entry with your Netflix subscription and see how the stunt-heavy scenes turned out for yourself.

Given my profession as an entertainment journalist/film critic, I don’t often get the luxury of going into any movie totally blind. Be it via CinemaBlend’s coverage, social media, trailers or word of mouth, I tend to keep abreast of new releases, and I thusly have a good idea of what I’m in for whenever the lights go down in a theater or I press play on a streaming service. Recently checking out director Patrick Hughes’ War Machine was a super rare exception, however, (all I knew going in was that it had a cast including Alan Ritchson, Dennis Quaid, and Esai Morales) and I’m super happy about it, as the genre switch that’s executed in the second half of the action film delivered the experience I feel I was always robbed of while watching the original Predator.

Structurally, the two movies are very similar. Both open as relatively familiar military dramas – the 2026 film following its protagonist through Army Ranger School and the 1987 sci-fi classic tracking a paramilitary rescue team trying to save a stranded politician in a Central American jungle – but things take a sharp left turn when the soldiers find themselves in a fight with an extraterrestrial armed with advanced technology and a murder-centric determination.

In the latter, though, I never got to be surprised by the presence of the alien, and not just because the film opens with a spacecraft falling to Earth; it features one of the most iconic big screen monsters of all time, and I didn’t see Predator until long after it had already cemented itself in pop culture history.

War Machine, on the other hand, totally took me by surprise – and I was tricked in large part because of the predictability of the opening sequence. As soon as I saw Alan Ritchson’s beard in his first scene, I knew that there was surely a time jump on the way that would see him clean shaven; and purely because I had no idea Jai Courtney was part of the cast, I had an inkling that his character wouldn’t stick around for very long. Sure enough, a few minutes later, Courtney was a corpse and the story jumped two years forward.

I felt as though I totally had the movie’s number from that point: Ritchson’s protagonist, only identified as 81, was meant to be recognized as the titular “war machine” because of his stoicism and extreme dedication to honoring his brother by completing his Ranger training, and the story would see him process his trauma and learn how live with his grief by becoming a leader again. In my defense, War Machine ultimately does do all of that… but I’m also willing to admit that I wholly ignored all of the flags hinting sci-fi action was on the way (including the news broadcast about the “asteroid” passing by Earth, which I just excused as a minimal effort at character building). When the alien twist finally arrived, it successfully blew my mind, and sent my enjoyment of everything to a much higher level.

Come December 2026 and the opportunity to reflect on all of my cinematic experiences from the previous 12 months, I can say with absolute surety that War Machine is not going to be a title that finds its way on to my annual Top 15 ranking. At the same time, I doubt that I forget the wonderful surprise it delivers to unsuspecting viewers and the great value in blindly buying a ticket and taking the ride.

War Machine is now available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

As fans wait for the already hyped-up Season 4 of Prime Video’s Reacher, star Alan Ritchson continues to build up his movie star cred, most recently with the critic-pleasing man-vs.-bot flick War Machine. (Read our War Machine review here!) He’s got a pair of action-centric features on the way, with a third currently filming, and even if they aren’t all deadly serious dramas, the actor is still making a point of bringing action movie heroes back to being believable human beings again.

To be sure, his 2026 Netflix movie has him and group of soldiers facing off against a giant deadly robot across some incredibly taxing terrain, which isn’t something the average person would excel at. But Ritchson’s character Staff Sergeant 81 isn’t a superhero or any kind of genetically modified warrior; he’s just well-trained, highly motivated by his personal hardships. Which is a theme that carries over into his now-filming biopic of war vet and former Navy SEAL Mike Thornton.

With Sylvester Stallone on board as an executive producer, the currently untitled feature reteams Ritchson with War Machine helmer Patrick Hughes, and centers on Thornton’s tireless and courageous efforts during the final days of the Vietnam War. Speaking to THR about why he wanted to join this particular project, Ritchson connected it to the movie that’s currently crushing in Netflix’s Top 10, saying:

At a point when so many action movies center on globally (or even galatically) catastrophic stakes, it can be easy for narratives to lose track of the humanity of it all while watching heroes that are 100% guaranteed to come out on top every single time. Ritchson wants to get away from that kind of approach, saying:

To be fair, I dunno that anyone watching War Machine ever truly thought Ritchson's character was truly in danger of being killed off. And if War Machine 2 happens, I doubt he'd succumb to any automaton's attacks in that one, either. But his point is still salient. Even if the actor is a hulking behemoth who looks like he could bring a redwood down from the right angle, audiences know that his character is running purely on adrenaline and not some kind of supersoldier serum.

We may not all be able to relate to an Army Ranger who put his life on the line to save the day, but there's something inspirational about watching someone else do it, and that feeling grows exponentially when it involves a real-life situation like Mike Thornton's Vietnam War heroics. It's harder to be influenced by MCU heroes whose powers and privileges aren't nearly as ubiquitous.

Ritchson says playing characters like 81 help him influence others to hopefully recognize their own strengths while making it through daily struggles.

It's an interesting view to bring to his future projects, seeing as how Ritchson was previously in talks to play a more villainous DC role, though it's not clear whether or not those talks have fizzled out or not. In any case, its probably smarter not to make comic book movie bad guys as relatable and inspirational as the heroes.

Next up on his docket, Ritchson has the Adam Shankman's Christmas-set action movie The Man with the Bag (opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Awkwafina) and Scott Waugh's action thriller Runner, co-starring Owen Wilson. It's unknown when the Navy SEAL biopic will hit theaters, but here's hoping it'll be out before the end of the year.

Mild spoilers below for anyone who hasn't seen War Machine, so be warned!

Alan Ritchson is having a moment. Between the continued popularity of Reacher and his growing slate of film roles on the 2026 movie calendar, the actor has become one of the most recognizable action stars working right now. His latest project, War Machine, has been racking up huge viewing numbers since making its streaming debut. It didn’t take long for him to celebrate the milestone online, and the numbers he highlighted are honestly pretty wild.

Ritchson recently took to Instagram to react to the film’s early streaming success, calling the amount of attention the movie has received “unheard of.” Sharing his excitement with fans, the actor wrote:

According to the numbers the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles actor shared, the film has already pulled in 39.9 million views, which is pretty impressive. Netflix doesn’t always publicly share detailed viewing figures, so when numbers like that start circulating, it’s easy to see why people are taking notice.

If you’ve been paying attention to the conversation around War Machine, available with a Netflix subscription, the strong viewership actually makes a lot of sense. The Netflix release has become a talking point online thanks to a surprising tonal shift that audiences didn’t necessarily see coming. The movie starts off feeling like a fairly straightforward action-heavy story, but eventually pivots into something much stranger and more of a sci-fi vibe, which has sparked plenty of discussion among viewers.

That kind of unexpected genre pivot can sometimes divide audiences, but it’s also the sort of creative swing that tends to get people talking—and talking is exactly what drives streaming numbers.

Critically, War Machine has landed in solid territory as well. The movie currently holds a 69% critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 72% audience approval rating, suggesting that while the film might not be universally loved, it’s connecting with a good portion of viewers. Cinemablend’s own Nick Venable gave it a three out of five-star review, calling it Reacher vs Robot. For a genre movie built around a bold tonal shift, those scores are actually pretty respectable. And hey, if these numbers are to be believed, it's sounding more likely that a War Machine 2 is a no-brainer.

Of course, Ritchson’s popularity probably isn’t hurting the film’s performance either. The actor has become a fan-favorite in recent years thanks to his work on Reacher, where his physical presence and dry sense of humor helped redefine the Jack Reacher character for television. That growing fanbase means that when the Fast X actor headlines a project, there’s already a built-in audience curious to see what he does next.

Pair that with a high-concept premise and a movie that’s willing to take some creative risks, and it’s easy to see why War Machine has found a sizable audience on Netflix. Whether audiences love the twisty direction the movie takes or simply enjoy the ride, the combination of Ritchson’s rising star power and a film that refuses to play things safe appears to be working. Judging by the “unheard of” viewership, plenty of Netflix subscribers are already pressing play to see what all the buzz is about.

Be sure to check out our streaming schedule to see what’s arriving on the small screen soon. And for fans of the actor, Reacher Season 4 is already on the way, with Ritchson teasing it could be one of the show’s best seasons yet.

Alan Ritchson has played Jack Reacher for three seasons (so far), and over the course of the series, his character has taken quite a beating. It’s basically becoming standard practice at this point that if you see Ritchson in a TV show or movie, he’s either going to beat someone up or get beaten up himself (or both), and the same is true in his new movie, War Machine.

The film, available with a Netflix subscription, sees Alan Ritchson as a combat engineer known only as 81, who must fight an otherworldly threat alongside a small group of soldiers. Ritchson tells THR that the film was even more physically gruelling for him than his previous endeavors, but he was able to get through it because his experience has taught him that pain is temporary. He said…

Alan Ritchson may only be acting like a super tough guy in movies, but there’s only so much you can pretend to physically exert yourself. At a certain point, you have to actually do what your character needs to do on screen. This can certainly lead to pain when you push your body too far too often, which, it sounds like Alan Ritchson has certainly done. Case-in-point, he ended up with a black eye filming the next season of Reacher that wasn’t from makeup.

Ritchson admits to having something of a problem because he likes to work with as few breaks between projects as possible. This causes a problem when the projects he’s doing lead to him being in pain, because it means he doesn’t get a break from that either. He continued…

We’ve certainly seen that Ritchson likes to work and doesn’t take breaks. Last year, he wrapped filming on the upcoming movie Runner, and then was almost immediately spotted filming a cameo for the upcoming Reacher spinoff Neagley. That rolled into the next season of Reacher in fairly short order.

When Ritchson says he doesn’t remember the pain, he’s apparently being quite honest. He said that even when he sees the finished film, he doesn’t remember whatever he went through, and is instead just proud of the project. He said…

As a fan of Alan Ritchson, I’m certainly appreciative of his willingness to go through some pain to do some incredible stuff on film. I’m certainly looking forward to Season 4 of Reacher to see just what he does, as he’s promised the upcoming season will be one of the show’s best.

Spoiler Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for the War Machine ending. If you have yet to watch the new Netflix movie, please proceed with caution.

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve watched War Machine with your Netflix subscription, and are coming here to find out what’s next for Alan Ritchson’s silent warrior. While Netflix has yet to announce War Machine 2 (or whatever it ends up being called), the new 2026 movie has been incredibly popular with users since making its streaming debut. That said, it should only be a matter of time before we see Staff Sergeant 81 take on even more high-tech aliens.

So, what’s been said about what could end up being the next great action franchise for the streamer? Come with me if you want to see what both Alan Ritchson and the film’s director, Patrick Hughes, have said about the possibility of even more sci-fi action! But before, I have to break down the War Machine ending and how it perfectly sets up a sequel.

The War Machine Ending Perfectly Sets Up A Sequel

The War Machine ending does leave us with unanswered questions about the titular alien robots and their origins, but the new action flick does do a great job of laying the groundwork for a sequel somewhere down the road. The movie ends with Alan Ritchson’s Staff Sergeant 81, who learned that you could defeat the robots by blocking their ventilation system to overheat, being accepted into the 75th Ranger Regiment of the United States Army, and being asked to join in on the counteroffensive.

Though things do wrap up with a Christopher Nolan-like ending in the sense that one story ends as another begins, the final scene in War Machine perfectly sets up a sequel (or sequels) in that it teases even more action to come in the future. With tens of thousands of those war machines set to invade Earth, 81 and the rest of the survivors have their work cut out for them. So, will it happen?

Patrick Hughes Initially Saw War Machine As A Standalone Story, But He's Ready To Pull The Trigger

With a concept like the one on display in War Machine, no one would hold anything against you if you were under the impression that this was something always meant to be a franchise. However, director Patrick Hughes, who previously helmed action flicks like The Expendables 3 and The Hitman’s Bodyguard, revealed in a recent interview that this was originally a standalone story.

When speaking with ScreenRant ahead of the film’s Netflix debut, Hughes was quick to dismiss the notion that this was always going to be a franchise, but he did say that he has since sketched it out and knows exactly where it’s going:

With War Machine being incredibly popular with Netflix users (it’s sitting atop the Netflix Top 10 at the time of this writing), I wouldn’t be surprised if the streamer gives Hughes and company the green light sooner or later. Considering his “ready to pull the trigger” comments, Hughes could hit the ground running as soon as that call comes in!

The Director Has Also Said There’s A Broader Story

Though Patrick Hughes, who was at one point eyed to remake The Raid, didn’t open up about a possible story direction for War Machine 2, his comments in the ScreenRant interview make it seem like he has a lot of the next movie planned out already. Around the same time as that chat, the director caught up with Decider and discussed what went into making 81’s story come to life while hinting at what could come for Alan Ritchson’s deadly character if given the opportunity:

The idea of starting with the micro and ending with the macro worked out really well for War Machine, considering the audience knew about as much as 81 throughout the movie. Now that both Ritchson’s character has a better grasp of what’s happening on a global level, the possibilities are limitless. Now we just need Hughes to open up some more about the “broader story.” And if the ending moments where humanity’s preparing for war are a part of this, things are about to kick off!

Alan Ritchson Has Hinted At ‘Tons’ Of Ideas For A Movie He Thinks Will Be ‘Sick’

Patrick Hughes isn’t the only person opening up about the idea of War Machine 2 in the future, as the first film’s main attraction is also trying to drum up support for a full-on franchise centered around Staff Sergeant 81. When speaking with ScreenRant alongside the director, the Jack Reacher star took a less-than-subtle way of addressing the question when asked about plans for a sequel. I’ll let the man speak for himself:

In case you missed it, the War Machines title Ritchson joked about was an homage to James Cameron’s 1986 sci-fi classic, Aliens, a movie that supercharged the genre and inspired countless action flicks in the 40 years that have followed. Oh, how much I would give to see Ritchson stroll into Netflix’s headquarters and write a dollar sign at the end of War Machine like that remarkable (and remarkably true) Cameron story. I would pay to see that!

Only time will tell what’ll happen with the War Machine franchise. That said, with the movie being a big title for Netflix and Alan Ritchson being one of the biggest stars in Hollywood right now, I think it’s a matter of when instead of if.

Filmmaker Patrick Hughes went from the independently financed neo-western thriller Red Hill to the gargantuan action sequel The Expendables 3, and he’s enjoyed a string of moderately budgeted blockbusters ever since. (The Hitman’s Bodyguard, its sequel, and 2022’s romp The Man from Toronto.) The sci-fi-leaning War Machine marks his first return to screenwriting and producing since his debut, and it shows, for better and for worse.

Hughes isn't the Netflix release's biggest draw, though. That distinction belongs to Alan Ritchson, whose Reacher series has cemented his appeal as a hulking action star with charm and brains to spare. War Machine feels crafted specifically to match the actor’s physical talents, but unfortunately fails to highlight his charisma or feature an iota of humor.

Of course, this isn’t the kind of movie one turns on expecting wit-soaked comedy on par with Mel Brooks or Billy Wilder. No, the target audience here includes those who want everything on the screen (actors included) to have at least an 80% chance of exploding at any given moment. Those who share that stance will definitely have more fun here than anyone hoping for more than genre expectations.

If You're Looking For A "Reacher Vs. Giant Robot" Movie: 4 Stars

Alan Ritchson's character — nearly everyone is referred to by assigned numbers rather than names, so he's Staff Sergeant 81 here — joins the Army Rangers in tribute to his brother (Jai Courtney), who's killed by insurgents as the siblings are stationed in Afghanistan. Some time later, 81 is plagued by both grief and guilt over not being able to carry his bro to safety, and that lack of self-worth does go a long way in making a character willing to face off against seemingly indestructible technology.

Despite not bonding with other new recruits (and sporting a general lack of personality), 81 is assigned group leader for what should be a routine training mission to locate and destroy a fallen aircraft. The clever move here is that the soldiers have no guns, so when what they believe to be their target becomes an heavily armed extraterrestrial nightmare worthy of Transformers comparisons, a high body count is inevitable, and all without bullet hell tropes.

To be expected, 81 is the most skilled at just about everything attempted (except for maybe keeping his squad alive), and a lot of the movie does indeed pay off on the "Reacher vs. Robot" promise. The size difference make it so that we don't see Ritchson actually punching the thing in its face (a feature it doesn't even seem to have), but the "man vs. machine" theming gets paid off in full.

If You Want An Action Movie That Prioritizes Real Stunts And Locations Over CGI: 4 Stars

So many action and sci-fi movies tend to share similar aesthetics these days, thanks to The Volume-esque productions that trade out real-world backgrounds and locations for digital add-ins. In a similar vein, many modern productions opt for digital explosions and destruction instead of anything tangible. Thankfully, Patrick Hughes' proven talents with practical stunts and effects were utilized throughout War Machine, and it's felt. We're talking multiple helicopter shots, people.

When 81's unit is either approaching the mysterious attacker-bot or retreating from it, they are very clearly running through a real location with trees and rocky formations as far as the eye can see. As well, scenes incorporate the surroundings in exciting ways, with several harrowing sequences involving a rushing river that seems impossible to cross safely.

As well, when the soldiers are brutally taken down by the giant tech's scary weaponry, there's real viscera and body parts flying around, with more than enough wide shots for audiences to appreciate all the gooey work on display. It's everything one loves about the action movies glut of the '80s and early '90s, just with mostly superior directing and editing techniques.

If You Need Hard Sci-Fi With Deep Themes And Highly Memorable Characters: 1 Star

For all the awesome action sequences and stuntwork on display, War Machine's story and characters are entirely lacking, and the dearth of repeatable one-liners is downright tragic. The entire movie hinges on a mid-feature "twist" (that was more or less spoiled by marketing and early reviews) that doesn't get a worthwhile enough explanation to properly make the final moments as shocking as they should be.

Perhaps that would have risked the mechanical antagonist being more dimensional than Ritchson's forever-brooding 81, who has no character traits beyond his backstory-gleaned gloom. With all due respect to the talented cast, none of their characters' origins would fill the back of a trading card. I'm glad the movie isn't full of rote military banter, but this movie desperately needs some kind of personality-based humor. Stephan James' Staff Sergeant 7 is arguably the most rounded of anyone, and his arc hits a point of ridiculousness that I wouldn't have appreciated with any of the others. So that's something.

If Hughes ever recuts War Machine to replace 5-10 minutes of moody conversations with jovial cameraderie, organic jokes, and a smattering of over-the-top and stress-induced reactions to the titular machine, it'd get at least another star. Until then...

Spoiler Warning: The following article contain major spoilers for War Machine. If you’ve yet to watch the new Netflix movie, proceed with caution.

Like a lot of people with a Netflix subscription, I started my weekend watching War Machine, the new Alan Ritchson sci-fi action flick critics are calling “absurd on almost every level.” While I did thoroughly enjoy watching Ritchson’s “Staff Sergeant 81” pull off all kinds of heroic feats in his attempt to save his fellow Army Ranger candidates (and the world) from an impressive piece of alien tech, there’s one thing about the 2026 movie I’m not clear on.

It’s not about 81 pretty much single-handedly taking down a piece of mech that looks like something out of the Metal Gear Solid games. Nor is it about why the staff sergeant was able to get into the Ranger Assessment and Selection Program (RASP), though both are valid. However, it instead has to deal with the titular war machine and the mysterious alien race that sent it…

Are The Machines The Aliens, Or Mech Sent Before Their Arrival?

One thing that works really well in War Machine is that the audience is primarily left in the dark and spends much of the movie knowing nothing about the titular alien robots until Alan Ritchson’s character figures things out. Though it is later revealed that the machines are, in fact, part of some global invasion (with tens of thousands more on the way), the movie stops short of revealing one thing: Are the machines the aliens or just instruments of death and destruction sent ahead of their arrival?

We’ve seen it both ways over the years. On one hand, you have great sci-fi movies like Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, having big reveals that the tripods were piloted by aliens hellbent on destroying humanity and taking over the planet. Other times, like in the Transformers movies, the machines are the aliens and are doing their own bidding.

In War Machine, we’re never given the opportunity to figure out if this is some advanced race of bio-mechanical aliens with some level of sentience or if they’re simply following orders by an organic alien race preparing to wipe humanity out and take over the planet. However, there is a scene that could offer a hint.

One Scene Offers Hints, But Is Short On Answers

There is a scene near the end of War Machine where Alan Ritchson’s character watches the alien robot send some kind of communication beam into the sky. Taking place a few minutes before the big reveal, where we learn that this war machine wasn’t alone, the sequence gives us a hint that something larger is at play. However, even after finishing the movie, it’s hard to say if the robots are aliens or sent by some advanced race.

While this sequence does offer some hints about how the machines work and communicate with each other (both on and off the planet), it doesn’t answer the big question that I keep asking. I’ve watched enough alien invasion movies to know that it could go either way.

Not knowing the origin of the machines is a tad bit frustrating, but this big unanswered question does open the door for all kinds of possibilities for a sequel down the road. Now we just need Netflix to make it happen!

Amazon Prime Video has quietly racked up an impressive lineup of originals over the past several years, but tops among those has to be Reacher, the Alan Ritchson vehicle that has attracted notice for its hulking action scenes, its memorable one-liners and its over-the-top storylines. It’s a fun show, and I love it, but I have to say sorry to the Reacher family because I think another new-to-Amazon series has topped it.

New Series Young Sherlock Hit Amazon Video This Month

Those with an Amazon Prime subscription have likely seen some sort of promotion for Young Sherlock, the cheeky new action-adventure series from Guy Ritchie and Peter Harness. If you haven’t seen any promotional footage, it’s a British TV series and a brand new take on Sherlock Holmes, set during his younger years. This version, played by Hero Fiennes Tiffin, has a mother, played by The Truman Show’s Natascha McElhone.

Most intriguingly, and the reason I am so obsessed with Young Sherlock both in concept and execution, is his relationship with a young James Moriarty, played by Irish actor Dónal Finn. Finn previously appeared in Amazon’s other adaption Wheel of Time, but I didn’t know him before throwing on this latest series, and I’m so happy this is the role I got to see him in.

The two young men are fabulous, constantly verbally sparring and spurring one another on. Deduction after deduction plays out between the two men, and watching them unravel knots and put puzzle pieces together is decidedly fun. More fun than Reacher? Your bandwidth may vary depending on your personal taste, but I’m a sucker for Sherlock Holmes adaptations, and I’ve never seen a version of Sherlock where he and Moriarty could begin as friends and land at foe hopefully at a later-to-be-determined date. (Though the finale is already leading to some hints about what the future will hold.)

Reacher and Young Sherlock may not seem to have too much in common at first glance. One has a younger protagonist, the other has a grizzled and hulking forty-something at the head. One show is American, the other is British. One show is set in the past and one show is set in the present. The differences are many.

Yet, the reason I keep comparing the two shows is that they make me feel the same way. I love watching Reacher for its quippy, deadpanned one-liners. I love watching Young Sherlock for the way Sherlock and James take the piss out of each other. I love watching Reacher for its innovative action scenes; in fact, though, Guy Ritchie and co. have a tendency to put together some unusual and memorable action sequences as well. The shows are unalike and yet they put the same pep in my step.

I’m hopeful we’ll have both on the schedule in the future. I wouldn’t mind having Reacher one season and a new season of Young Sherlock the next. And don’t forget, we’ve been waiting for the Neagley spinoff for a while, as well. There’s good stuff to come on the Amazon Prime Video front, and I’m hoping Young Sherlock will ultimately land a renewal alongside Reacher Season 4. It's just too fun to go away this soon.

Alan Ritchson has developed quite a following through three seasons of Reacher, and while Season 4 is on the way — “the best season we’ve ever made by a long shot,” the actor says — we don’t have to wait for its release to see Ritchson return to action. War Machine hit the 2026 movie calendar on March 6, streaming with a Netflix subscription, and critics are sharing their thoughts on the sci-fi action flick.

War Machine sees Alan Ritchson playing Staff Sergeant 81, who sets out for a field exercise with his fellow Army Ranger recruits, only to happen upon a large robot hell-bent on destruction. James Dyer of Empire says the movie is “big dumb fun,” rating it 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a “brainless, bombastic, bomb-tastic action romp, this is absurd on almost every level, and far more fun than it has any right to be.” The critic continues:

William Bibbiani of The Wrap calls War Machine both shameless pro-military propaganda and “straightforward, b-movie fun.” It’s basically a bad knockoff of Predator, but the critic says nothing matters other than this:

Caroline Siede of AV Club grades it a B-, saying the new action movie finds its groove in the second act, offering “squelching impalements and shocking dismemberments” with an admirable amount of the action filmed without use of CGI backdrops. Unfortunately, War Machine doesn’t end on as strong a note, as Siede writes:

Monica Castillo of RogerEbert rates the movie 2 out of 4 stars, saying it’s not meant to withstand big questions. Rather, this high-octane action thriller is way more fun when it goes off the rails, Castillo says, writing:

Matt Fowler of IGN gives the 2026 Netflix movie an “Okay” 6 out of 10, saying there’s just enough juice here — mostly thanks to its star — to keep it from being a snoozefest and is possibly one of the better disposable streaming action movies available. The critic concludes:

Critics’ reactions to Alan Ritchson’s latest project are fairly middling, most careful to categorize it as “fun” more than “good,” but the response seems to be leaning positive, with 21 critics averaging a score of 81% on Rotten Tomatoes as of this writing.

There’s certainly something to be said for a movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously or force you to think too hard, and if that sounds appealing to you, go ahead and hit Play on War Machine, which is streaming now on Netflix.

How is it March already? Somehow, the first two months of the year are already gone, though they’ve given us some great new streaming movies and TV to enjoy along the way. March is certainly following suit, as, if you’re looking for something new to watch, there’s plenty to enjoy this week, from the long-awaited second season of a hit comedy to the newest look at one of the great classic characters of fiction.

Young Sherlock - March 4 (Prime Video)

Sherlock Holmes has been adapted for the screen as much as any character in fiction. Rarely, however, has it turned back the clock so far as to see Holmes before he became the world’s first consulting detective. Young Sherlock is produced by Guy Ritchie, who previously brought us two solid Holmes movies starring Robert Downey Jr.. Hero Fiennes Tiffin stars as Holmes, who is a student at Oxford when he makes friends with James Moriarty.

The Hunt - March 4 (Apple TV)

The Hunt is interesting because its road to streaming was an odd one. It was originally set to debut back in December for those with an Apple TV subscription, before the show was pulled following accusations of plagiarism. The series, which follows a battle of wills between two groups of men who come across each other while hunting in the woods, appears to have remained intact... though the credits have now been altered as they state the series is based on a book by Douglas Fairbairn.

Ted, Season 2 - March 5 (Peacock)

Seth MacFarlane’s Ted was something of a surprise hit when the first film debuted back in 2012. It did so well that a sequel film was quickly put in development. Those movies then spawned a series you can watch with a Peacock subscription. The first season came out over two years ago, so fans have been waiting a while for the continuation of this prequel story. But one has to imagine the laughs will continue.

Vladimir - March 5 (Netflix)

Vladimir is a new Netflix series based on the book of the same name and stars the once and future Mummy star Rachel Weisz as a woman who becomes obsessed with a co-worker. Do I know this show will be great? No, but I have to admit I’m more than a little curious after the show released one of the most suggestive poster images in recent memory. I’ll be using my Netflix subscription to see just what this one has to offer.

The Dinosaurs - March 6 (Netflix)

Steven Spielberg and dinosaurs? Yes please. Every generation needs a top tier documentary about the history of dinosaurs, and the newest comes in the part of a four part Netflix series that’s produced by Spielberg, and is narrated by Morgan Freeman. One can expect cutting edge animation and the most accurate scientific information we have about these magnificent creatures.

War Machine - March 6 (Netflix)

My Prime Video subscription has been waiting for the newest season of Reacher, as I’ve had a distinct lack of Alan Ritchson beating the crap out of people on my TV. The good news, however, is that over on Netflix this week, we get War Machine, a movie that dares to ask the question, what if Jack Reacher fought an alien mech? I can’t wait to find out the answer.

There’s plenty more where this came from with the rest of March getting ready to bring us Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again and One Piece as well as the follow-up to Jury Duty and more.

In the era of streaming TV dominance, schedules are a thing of the past. Some series take multiple years between seasons. It’s just one of the reasons that Reacher, the action series based on Lee Child’s novels, has been a breath of fresh air. We’ve seen new seasons every year like clockwork. Unfortunately, the 2026 TV season currently has no Reacher series on it.

It would be right around this time of year that we should expect a new season of Reacher, based on when previous seasons have been released to those with a Prime Video subscription. But we know that before we get a new season of Reacher, the first season of the spinoff series Neagley, starring Maria Sten, will arrive. Sten took to Instagram recently to assure fans that, despite the lack of a release date, the new season is coming. She also promises it will be good. Her post reads in part…

It’s likely not a coincidence that Maria Sten’s promise arrived right now. Reacher fans like myself are certainly jonesing for something right about now. Season 3 of Reacher debuted at the end of February in 2025, about 13 months after the second season. By that metric, the next season feels like it should be dropping anytime now.

We do expect Neagley to arrive this year, but at this point, we have no idea when. When a release date is announced its likely to be at least a couple of months in the future, so even if the announcement came soon, the actual release date is probably still a few months out. But based on the video that Maria Sten included with her promise, which includes some stunt work and makeup of Neagley getting a little beat up, she’s not wrong that it looks like the show is trying to be perfect.

Neagley will be an entirely original show in the Reacher universe. While the main series has had each season based on a Lee Child novel, the spinoff has no such source material. It potentially gave the creators a lot more freedom, and it will be interesting to see what comes of it.

The good news is that once Neagley does come out, we will get more Jack Reacher, filming indicated at least a cameo appearance by Alan Ritchson in the series. We also probably won’t have to wait too much longer for Season 4 of Reacher after we’re done with Neagley. The series went into production almost immediately after principal photography wrapped on the spin-off, so the next season may drop a year from now, which will still only be a few months after Neagley arrives. Whenever that is.

When it comes to book-to-screen adaptations, they can be very hit or miss. Sometimes, the authors of the source material make their grievances known, too. However, Prime Video's Reacher has not had that problem. That was recently proven too, because as we wait for Reacher Season 4, the author of the Jack Reacher series, Lee Child, explained why he loves the Alan Ritchson-led adaptation of his work.

Lee Child serves as an executive producer on Reacher, which premiered in 2022 and can be streamed with an Amazon Prime subscription. Every season is based on a different book in his series, and while TV adaptations may not always please novelists, Child has a different take on it all. While looking back on his book series and the world that it’s created, which includes not only a TV show but a movie adaptation, the writer told People why he's given the Prime Video series his stamp of approval:

It can be hard to adapt books for the screen because what works on the page might not necessarily work on camera and vice versa. The fact that Child understands that and knows that the interpretation will be different, but is still happy with the results, shows just how much care everyone on the series has for the source material and the series.

Of course, it helps that Child is involved in the process, so he probably has a say in a lot of things. However, as he said, just because he wrote the books doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s an expert on all things Jack Reacher, since the book and show are different. Overall, he loves the opportunity to expand and talk about this character that has meant a lot to him for almost 30 years, as pointed out that Ritchson, showrunner Nick Santos, and producer Don Granger have read the books numerous times:

Since a lot of books have been adapted over the years, it’s always hard to predict how the film or TV version will turn out. Sometimes they turn out great, sometimes they get criticized for adding too much or not adding enough, and sometimes it’s a lost cause. That isn't the case for Reacher. Child saying that he’s satisfied with how the series has turned out might be the highest compliment it could have gotten.

Meanwhile, in terms of what we'll see on screen next from Reacher, Ritchson was nervous that Season 4 couldn’t top Season 3, but that has changed, and he now thinks it's their best work yet. The actor has posted more than a few photos looking beat up, meaning the titular character will be going through the wringer with the best fight ever, and I'm certain you won't want to miss out on the action.

Hopefully, Reacher Season 4 will premiere on the 2026 TV schedule. With Alan Ritchson hyping it up and Lee Child making his approval of the show very well known, there's a lot to get excited about when it comes to what's coming next for this beloved book-to-screen adaptation.

Spoilers for Playdate are ahead! If you’d like to stream this wild action movie, you can do so with an Amazon Prime subscription.

There’s a new action flick that premiered on the 2025 movie schedule called Playdate, and it has maybe the most WTF ending I’ve seen all year. Now, when I heard about Playdate, I thought this action comedy led by Kevin James and Alan Ritchson had the potential to show off the Reacher star’s comedic skills and tell a fun story. However, only one of those things happened...

While Ritchson genuinely was funny, this story was wild (and not in a good way). And that's in great part because the end of this wild day that Kevin James' character and his step-son spent with Alan Ritchson's character and his presumed son took such an absolutely ridiculous turn that left me utterly baffled.

Clones? Why’d It Have To Be Clones?

OK, here we go, let me try to explain this…at the end of Playdate, which was panned by critics, it’s revealed that Jeff, Alan Ritchson’s character, was Colonel Kurtz’s (Hiro Kanagawa) “perfect soldier.” However, Jeff had too much empathy, and so they used technology to “create the perfect genetic soldier,” which, according to these villains, means someone who feels no emotion and can be a killing machine.

So, that brings us to the conclusion that they used Jeff’s DNA to make CJ (the child Jeff was looking after) and a bunch of other clones. Talk about a plot twist...

When Kurtz orders CJ to kill Jeff (yes, that happened; this child was asked to kill his father figure), Ritchson’s character was able to talk some sense into his clone. CJ then shot Alan Tudyk’s evil genius Maddox in the butt with a crossbow, and they fought their way out of the warehouse with the help of Kevin James’ Brian and his stepson, Lucas (Benjamin Pajak).

Now, at no point during this movie did I think the answer to the question about why CJ and Jeff were together was cloning. In fact, not in a million years did I think that’d be the case.

Child soldiers, super soldiers and clones were a bananas turn for this movie to take, so yeah, I was saying WTF over it.

Why Are We Saving One Of The Clones But Letting The Rest Of Them Explode?

Now, I get that the rest of the clones in this new streaming movie were, as Kevin James’ character put it, “psycho killing machines.” So, after they fought their way out of this evil situation, they killed them all by blowing up the building.

However, I’d like to posit the question: If CJ can be saved, why can’t the other kids...I mean clones?

The whole idea I think this movie is trying to get across is that while CJ was made to be evil, he was nurtured to be good, and he was worth saving. So, when you think about all of this from that angle, couldn’t all those other cloned child soldiers have been saved, too?

All around, there was a lot of weird violence that involved kids in this movie, and I know they’re not normal kids; they’re evil clones, but still…In the end, I think this move kind of contradicts the whole point of saving the kid who had been with Jeff for a long time. So, it’s an odd note to end on.

Why On Earth Did They Set Up A Sequel?

But guess what, the movie doesn’t end there. No, no, there’s a mid-credits scene that sets up another story.

Yeah, after some delightful bloopers and a dance number that featured the four lead actors in red track suits, Brian’s wife Emily (Sarah Chalke) shows up with a big bag of Tostitos chips and salsa and asks about the playdate. However, before Kevin James’ character can tell the story, CJ and Jeff knock on his door with sleeping bags in hand.

Then, after making Brian guess why they were there, Jeff says a bunch of new bad guys burned down his house…thereby setting up another adventure.

I don’t need that to happen, though. I’m fine, at best, with what we got here; it was enough WTF energy for me, and I’d just like all these characters to go back to their normal everyday lives while I go back to mine.

Alan Ritchson has been keeping fans hyped and ready for the fourth season of Reacher by doing things like giving a tour of his trailer and sharing fun behind-the-scenes moments. He’s also been showing off the many bruises he’s gotten and gushing about sequences, like the one he called “the best fight ever.” Now, as the show wraps, his titular character is getting into a bloodbath, and Ritchson is celebrating.

Reacher is known for putting Ritchson through the wringer. He was even knocked unconscious while filming Season 3 at one point because it was so intense. However, it looked amazing on screen. So, the bar for this new season and its action is high.

The actor was nervous that Season 4 wouldn't be able to top Season 3, but from the photos he’s posted, it looks like the fourth season will be even more intense. Now, Agnez Mo, who is new to the show and will be playing Lila Hoth, has shared a carousel of images taken from the set of Reacher to celebrate wrapping Season 4. This included a black and white photo -- it's the second image in the carousel -- of the cast, and Ritchson is looking pretty bloody in it. Take a look:

We know Season 4 will be based on Lee Child's novel Gone Tomorrow; however, specifics about the season have not been revealed. Regardless of what happens, Jack Reacher will not be given any breaks, it seems, and he is going to be as bloodied and bruised as ever. It should be entertaining to find out what exactly makes Ritchson so bloody in the finale, but hopefully, this fight didn’t involve him getting a concussion.

Along with getting bloodied and bruised, Ritchson has also received his fair share of black eyes, as he showed off over the summer. That being said, he’s admitted that Season 4 is so high octane that they should check people’s heart health before watching. And if the photos only show off part of what will be coming, I'm sure what we see on screen will be incredibly intense.

Surprisingly, Reacher is not the only project that Alan Ritchson has done as of late that involves getting bloody. In May, he wrapped his new movie Runner and was battered and bloody, but all smiles in a photo. This was just before Season 4 of Reacher went into production, meaning that it didn’t take long for him to get bloody again. He doesn’t seem to mind, but Ritchson has opened up about how dangerous it can be to always say yes, especially since he’s basically been working non-stop for over two years.

As of now, it’s unknown when Reacher Season 4 will be streaming with a Prime Video subscription, but now that filming has wrapped, I'm hopeful that it will be part of the 2026 TV schedule. The wait will be worth it, and fans can always get their action fix by rewatching the first three seasons.

Few can say their careers kicked off with a striptease on American Idol, but Alan Ritchson isn't your average celeb. Following breakout roles in Smallville and Blue Mountain State, the Virginia native truly became a household name after landing the titular role in Prime Video's Reacher, and it's largely been a non-stop whirlwind ever since, both for better and for worse. With Season 4 set to wrap filming ahead of hitting the 2026 TV schedule, Ritchson is realizing the importance of taking a break and saying "no."

As someone who wasn't born into a famous family, and lived on the opposite side of the country from Hollywood, Ritchson likely didn't see himself destined to become one of the biggest celebs in the country a few decades later. Speaking with Collider, he addressed his lack of stability in his late teens and how suffering those hardships at an early age calcified into something he could utilize. In his words:

It's a relatable feeling, especially for anyone who also came from the Have-Not side of the tracks. After going without luxuries for so long, one can easily be swayed into agreeing to do anything as long as there's a prize at the end. In Ritchson's case, reaching a certain acting status opened him up to more and more offers for projects, and the survivalist instincts inside of him likely made it difficult for him to justify turning anything down. He continued:

The timing of these quotes isn't as interesting as Alan Ritchson's genuine sentiment, but I don't think it's entirely a coincidence that he's talking about the importance of quality so soon after his new comedy opposite Kevin James was completely roasted by critics and audiences. By and large, the Titans vet was the best thing about it, as he's a genuinely funny dude, even if his co-star was unaware.

Three more movies dot the horizon in Ritchson's future, all action movies with varying subgenres. Adam Shankman's comedic Christmas romp The Man with the Bag, Patrick Hughes' sci-fi War Machine, and Scott Waugh's thriller Runner. (The actor shared a bloody shot of himself from the latter, which obviously isn't proof that it'll be great, but it doesn't hurt.)

That said, the Fast X co-star's need to turn more things down isn't just about project quality and how it'll affect his career. Being so busy has also taken its toll on Ritchson's personal life and his family dynamic. He opened up about how he and his wife had to adjust their past lifestyle to factor their kids' needs in, which meant going from being a full unit most of the time to splitting apart for longer stretches. As he put it:

He says that weekends are where he makes the biggest effort to see everyone, but that he doesn't foresee a future where there will be an easy way to keep that going. As such, the clearest solution for him is just to pump the brakes and take his first break in nearly three years.

If Alan Ritchson is truly looking to take some time off, maybe he should start backing away from all the talk about playing DCU Batman and other DC roles, since that kind of franchise life could completely take over. But that goes against my inner wishes for him to play the DCU Batman...

The anticipation for Reacher Season 4 is running high, and that’s especially true since Season 3 (which you can stream with an Amazon Prime subscription) was so good. Those kinds of expectations can be nerve-racking, though, as Alan Ritchson made very clear. However, he also explained how he got over his nerves about not being able to top Jack Reacher’s last outing.

Alan Ritchson is almost done filming Reacher Season 4, and during an interview with Collider, he opened up about its production and what’s to come. He was also candid about his expectations and concerns for the latest book-to-screen adaptation of Lee Child’s novels. Explaining why he was a little anxious going into Season 4, Ritchson said:

He makes a fair point; the love for Reacher Season 3 was real. The story was so solid, and the action was next level, in great part thanks to Ritchson facing off against Olivier Richters in a fight that they both called “the most physically demanding they’ve ever done.”

Now, the question is: How do they top it? It’s a question that made the Playdate actor nervous. However, after a conversation with showrunner Nick Santora, Ritchson was able to get over that worry by shifting his mindset. He explained:

We know Season 4 will be based on the book Gone Tomorrow. In that novel, Reacher has to race through Manhattan as he’s chased by a bunch of folks trying to kill him. It sounds absolutely epic and different from the last season, which focused on the titular character infiltrating a home to take down an enemy.

Alan Ritchson noted that, too. He is excited about how different Season 4 is, and he can’t wait to surprise audiences. He also thinks it’s their best season yet, as he said:

He ended by saying he can’t wait for people to see the season. And how his apprehension turned into utter confidence, also makes me thrilled to watch these new episodes.

Also, when Ritchson did this interview, he noted that they only had a week left in production. So, Reacher Season 4 is well on its way to audiences, and considering its lead actor has shot most of it now, his confidence is very exciting, because he knows what everything looks like.

So, get stoked, folks. It sounds like we’re in for something special when Reacher Season 4 premieres on Prime Video.

Alan Ritchson has made quite a name for himself among Amazon Prime Video subscription holders, playing the title role on Reacher for three seasons (with a fourth coming to the 2026 TV schedule). For his next project he’ll stay on the streaming service, but it’ll be a whole new look, as Ritchson is teaming up with Kevin James for the buddy comedy Playdate. Critics were able to stream the movie ahead of its release, so is it worth checking out?

In addition to Jack Reacher, Alan Ritchson is likely best known for portraying Aquaman and Hawk in different DC projects, so Playdate gives him a chance to flex his comedic skills. With a supporting cast that includes Isla Fisher, Sarah Chalke and Alan Tudyk, what’s not to like? Well, according to Decider’s John Serba, plenty. Playdate’s references are aimed at 48-year-olds, while the comedy is more at the 7-year-old level, Serba says, continuing:

Frank Scheck of THR says Playdate isn’t so much a movie as a “compendium of clichés in search of one.” Stale clichés, at that, the critic says. The movie serves no purpose other than to have something on as background noise while folding laundry. Scheck writes:

Jim Vorel of Paste rates the movie 2.0 out of 10, writing that in over a decade as a film critic, he’s rarely come across anything as “vastly irritating and downright embarrassing” as Playdate. According to the Paste review:

Matt Donato of AV Club gives it a D-, writing that Playdate has no respect for its audience or itself, as it epitomizes the death of mainstream comedies. There’s no energy or wit to be found, and is merely a sequence of tacky events that barely clears the bar for actually being considered a movie, Donato says:

Not every critic sees the film as completely indefensible. CBR’s Nicholas Brooks rates Playdate 6 out of 10, admitting that there are missteps but saying it’s a refreshing change of pace for Alan Ritchson, who plays well off of Kevin James. Overall, it works as an odd-couple comedy, Brooks says, writing:

Critics have rated Playdate just 19% on Rotten Tomatoes, but the audience score is a much more generous 52%. If you’re a fan of Alan Ritchson, Kevin James or buddy comedies that you can watch from your living room, you might want to check this one out. Playdate is available to stream now on Prime Video.

As the wait for Season 4 of Reacher continues, Alan Ritchson is keeping us entertained with a new action comedy called Playdate. This project on the 2025 movie schedule sees him pair up with Kevin James for a chaotic and hilarious journey, and it turns out, the King of Queens actor wanted to be his co-star’s Mr. Miyagi when it came to nailing the funny beats of this movie.

However, he should have known (much like many of us already do) just how funny Alan Ritchson is.

Kevin James Wanted To Be Alan Ritchson’s Mr. Miyagi For Comedy

In Playdate, a new streaming release that’s available with an Amazon Prime subscription, Alan Ritchson and Kevin James play two dads who are trying to have a nice day with their kids when everything goes wild. As the director, Luke Greenfield, said in the featurette below, these two characters make for an “odd pairing,” and the actors playing them seem to juxtapose each other in a funny way.

Now, I think it’s natural to assume that of this duo, Kevin James would bring the comedy and Alan Ritchson would bring the action to this action comedy, Playdate. And to that point, the Paul Blart: Mall Cop actor noted that he thought it would have been fun to help his co-star out, Karate Kid style. He explained:

As you can see in the featurette, he really didn’t need it. It’s pretty clear that Alan Ritchson had the comedy part down, too.

However, the gesture was nice.

Although I have to say, if you follow Alan Ritchson on Instagram, you should know all this already.

However, He Should Have Known How Funny The Reacher Star Is In Real Life

While Reacher isn’t known for its humor, Alan Ritchson certainly has a good sense of it when it comes to both the show and his own life.

During an interview with CinemaBlend about Season 3, in fact, I joked with Ritchson about Reacher’s sleep schedule, and the season before that, he even started his own Reacher meme.

Also, if you simply follow the actor on Instagram, it becomes clear, quickly, just how silly he can be. For example, on Halloween, he posted this funny video where he gave his followers a tour of his trailer. However, the twist was, he had been pranked by the crew, and his RV was full of decapitated heads and limbs. His reaction was priceless, and when you mix his screaming about what’s in his trailer with his calm “Oh, my food’s here" at the end, you get comedy gold.

To further prove my point, Ritchson has joked about being too tall for the gym on social media before, and one time, he had all the jokes about his abs as he posted a shirtless selfie. Honestly, if you follow this guy on Instagram, it’s easy to see that while he takes his work seriously, he does not seem to take himself too seriously.

So, no, he didn’t need a Mr. Miyagi for comedy on his latest movie. However, I’m also sure Alan Ritchson still learned a thing or two from Kevin James about how to bring the funny for their new movie that’s available to stream on Prime Video now.

November is in full swing. And while that means the spooky season is truly over for another year, likely disappointing many, we’re shifting right into the winter holiday season. This week will see some of the first new Christmas movies coming to streaming, as well as other family content, including the return of one of the most important kids shows ever made.

Sesame Street - November 10 (Netflix)

Since 1969, no television show may have been quite as important to America’s youth as Sesame Street. The educational show has taught kids letters, numbers, and so much more for decades. A great deal has changed about the show over the years, but its importance has never wavered. Following a few years on HBO Max, you’ll now need a Netflix subscription to catch the newest season.

Playdate - November 12 (Prime Video)

If you’ve got a Prime Video subscription, it’s a safe bet you’re a fan of Reacher. If you’re a fan of Reacher, it’s a safe bet you’re waiting for the upcoming fourth season, and for the spinoff Neagley. While those are still a ways off, there will be a potential stopgap in Playdate. This action comedy pairs Reacher star Alan Ritchson with Kevin James for a film that certainly won’t be as serious as what fans are used to, but looks to still have plenty of action.

A Very Jonas Christmas Movie - November 14 (Disney+)

The Jonas Brothers were essentially born at Disney, and much like Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez before them, it’s time for these Disney Kids to come home. A Very Jonas Christmas Movie is the first holiday movie to drop for your Disney+ subscription, and it sees the three musical brothers perform a concert in England and then try to make it home in time for Christmas, a task that will not be as easy as they thought.

In Your Dreams - November 14 (Netflix)

Over the last several years, Netflix has made itself a force in animation thanks to amazing projects like Wallace and Gromit, Ultraman: Rising, and, of course, the recent smash hit Kpop Demon Hunters. If there’s a Netflix project that may be in line for an upcoming Academy Award nomination, however, it may be In Your Dreams. The film sees two kids and their dream playmate travel through the dream world in an attempt to save their family.

Eddington - November 14 (HBO Max)

A new movie by Ari Aster is always a film worth checking out. While not all of them are a hit with all audiences, they always give you something to talk about. Eddington, available with your HBO Max subscription, takes on two hot-button issues, politics and the global pandemic, and throws them together. Needless to say, the drama and the stress will likely be at an all-time high.

Landman, Season 2 - November 16 (Paramount+)

Taylor Sheridan can seemingly do no wrong on television, making him one of the most in-demand creators working in entertainment today. Landman with Billy Bob Thornton is one of his latest hits. Fans will need a Paramount+ subscription to watch the second season unfold.

With everything from Dracula to the Fantastic Four: First Steps already streaming this month, and everything from the final season of Stranger Things to The Beatles Anthology yet to come. It’s already going to be a great month on all your favorite streaming platforms.

These days, Alan Ritchson is best known for starring in the action series Reacher and movies like Fast X and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. But long before those projects, he left his mark on the DC Comic TV space by first playing Aquaman in a few Smallville episodes, then Hawk in Titans Season 1 through 3. Ritchson has now confirmed he’s in talks for a role in the DC Universe franchise, and I’m living for how he described the kind of character we could see him play in an upcoming DC movie and/or upcoming DC TV show.

While promoting his 2025 movie Play Date, which premieres to Amazon Prime Video subscription-holders next week, Ritchson confirmed to ScreenRant that he has been in discussions about joining the DCU. He had this to say about whether he’d want to play a hero again or a villain instead:

It's good Alan Ritchson’s talks with DC Studios are going well so far, but now I’m eager to learn what role he’d be playing if this ends up working out. After playing two superheroes, I can’t say I blame him for wanting to tackle a character who doesn’t fit that traditional mold. However, I’d also be remiss if I didn’t mention that Hawk, a.k.a. Hank Hall was messy to a degree during his time on Titans, from his complicated relationship with Dawn Granger, a.k.a. Dove, and his more brutal methods of dealing with criminals.

Given his star power, I think it’s safe to say that if Alan Ritchson joins the DCU, it would either be as a leading character for a specific project or as a key supporting character in someone else’s project whom he’d be able to continue playing. For the latter, think along the lines of how Jason Momoa is debuting as Lobo in Supergirl. Of course, there’s no shortage of fans who’ve thought Ritchson would be a good fit to play the DCU’s Batman, and DC Studios co-head James Gunn at least sounds open to that casting. Just don’t expect Ritchson to play a new version of Aquaman.

While we wait to see if anything comes from Alan Ritchson’s conversations with DC Studios, feel free to revisit his prior superhero roles by streaming Smallville and Titans with you Hulu subscription and HBO Max subscription, respectively. Otherwise, catch him getting into action-heavy hijinks with Kevin James in Play Date starting Wednesday, November 12.

Lee Child’s Jack Reacher is about as far removed from Halloween novelties as a fictional character can be, but that distinction doesn’t apply to franchise star Alan Ritchson, who doesn’t mind getting a little morbid now and then. Reacher Season 4 continues coming together, and while it won't be included in our list of upcoming horror TV shows, both its star and its makeup genius Kat Crisp had quite a bit of gnarly fun inside Ritchson’s trailer, bloody limbs and all.

I have to give a (disembodied) hand to Crisp, who previously wowed us with her tattoo-covering skills. At least assuming Ritchson’s amusing accusations were legit. In any case, the RV absolutely looks like the final-act setting of a slasher movie when a main character discovers their friends have been brutalized by one lurking threat or another. Only in this case, the actor is being haunted by the ghosts of Reacher's past, at least metaphorically.

Check out Alan Ritchson's video below while I envision a world where Reacher gets a standalone Halloween special.

Clearly, this isn't the Blue Mountain State vet's first time seeing all of these gruesome set pieces, and I'm sure all involved got him to okay taking over his comfort zone to bring in such impressive Halloween flair. He'd also likely need to still use his trailer while it was being set up. But one can hope that at least one of those set-ups went unseen by the actor until it was finished.

In particular, I would love to see his genuine reaction to opening a refrigerator and seeing a fake head inside. Though probably not one that looks just like an actor he'd worked with in a previous season whose character Reacher killed off. That said, that specific prosthetic head would work perfectly for watching anyone else unwittingly attempt to grab a drink from that fridge.

Except, I suppose, that actor's friends and family, lest they think something truly awful happened to him, and that Alan Ritchson isn't the nice guy actor we've all been fooled into believing. But no need for such beliefs. Just the belief that Kat Crisp should be working on more horror projects. (Shout out to The Changeling.)

Ritchson somehow didn't have a mini-era where he starred in 3 different horror movie remakes opposite Chad Michael Murray or Jessica Biel, and his only real hardcore genre flick was one of his first on-screen rolesm 2006's The Butcher. (Written by Ninja and Ninja II co-writer Michael Hurst.) So I think we can all agree Ritchson can find a toehold for himself in a spooky movie at some point if and when his jam-packed slate of current projects ever dries up. Like all that fake blood in his RV.

Find out just how bloody and mangled Reacher's enemies will get in Season 4 when it debuts in...well, we have no idea when it'll be available to stream via Amazon Prime subscription. But Maria Sten's Neagley spinoff should be arriving well before that point to sate some of those action-TV needs.

As somebody who is a big fan of Reacher, I’m very excited that the new season is currently in production. Star Alan Ritchson has already teased some Reacher fight scenes that may be the best the series has ever done, making it worth holding on to my Prime Video subscription to watch both it and the upcoming Neagley spinoff. There’s clearly a lot of work being done behind the scenes to make the new season of Reacher the best yet, and that goes for the people in the makeup trailer as well.

You might not think Alan Ritchson needs to spend a great deal of time in makeup before filming Reacher, but there is some important work that needs to be done. Alan Ritchson has some pretty significant tattoos, but Jack Reacher doesn’t, meaning the actor’s tats need to be covered up every morning. As it turns out, based on this Instagram video, doing that isn’t nearly as hard as I would have guessed. Check it out.

Even though the actual covering is done in time-lapse, it’s still pretty clear that actually covering the tattoos is a fairly fast process. Ritchson essentially gets makeup airbrushed onto his arms, which makes the tattoos disappear. One imagines that finding the right formulation of makeup to match the actor’s skin tone might have taken some time, but now that it’s done, the covering up is quite easy.

The performer says the total makeup time, which also includes adding some injury makeup to his face, takes less than an hour, which may not seem like a short period, but considering that some actors have to spend hours in a makeup chair to get prepared for a role, 50 minutes is almost nothing.

The same is true at the end of the day when it comes time to clean up all the makeup. In a follow-up video, Alan Ritchson shows that the removal process is even faster than the covering process. It takes only a few minutes to completely uncover tattoos.

This tattoo removal comes thanks to a bottle of something that is simply labeled as “Alan’s magic remover.” Ritchson makes a big deal about this magical product. It’s unclear if it is anything special or not. It might be a special mixture of different solvents that does the best job of removing the makeup. It might just be a bottle of rubbing alcohol. Who knows?

Considering the number of actors who have tattoos, the ability to cover them up quickly is likely a key part of any makeup person's skill set. I just had no idea it could be done quite that fast. Ultimately, it means more time on set for Alan Ritchson, which means Season 4 of Reacher will get here that much faster.

I was on board just hearing that Kevin James and Alan Ritchson were working together. However, that was further solidified when I found out that their project on the 2025 movie schedule was going to be “an absurd action-packed adventure where minivan mayhem meets professional hitmen.” That’s right, Playdate is going to be a wild action comedy about these two dads and their kids having one crazy afternoon, and between the synopsis and these first look photos, I’m so here for it.

Playdate, which is being released by Amazon MGM Studios and will be available to stream with a Prime Video subscription on November 12, will pair Kevin James with Alan Ritchson and their on-screen sons for more than just a playdate.

According to the film’s synopsis, James will play Brian, an unemployed accountant, who decides to have a playdate with Ritchson’s Jeff, a “charismatic stay-at-home dad.” However, their afternoon together with their sons quickly turns into a “chaotic scramble to stay alive as they are pursued by a ruthless team of mercenaries.”

The synopsis also notes that Brian is a fish out of water in this situation, while Jeff has an “oddly prepared demeanor.” Plus, considering Alan Ritchson is filming Season 4 of Reacher at the time of this writing and is well-known for his committed and intense action sequences (like the Paulie vs. Reacher fight in Season 3 of the great Prime Video show), I assume he’ll bring that kind of expertise and experience to Playdate. That juxtaposed with James' comedic style sounds like gold.

Truly, it’s this unexpected pairing that has me thrilled about this movie. While I certainly didn’t have an Alan Ritchson and Kevin James collaboration on my bingo card, that’s exactly what makes Playdate a film that I’ll be turning on the day it comes out.

Listen, I love a great action movie, and I adore a good comedy, so I especially am here for an action comedy. There’s no question that Ritchson is a top-tier action star right now, and James is a comedy legend, so pairing them together feels like a great idea.

That, mixed with this fun concept, has me very excited! Plus, this movie is directed by Luke Greenfield, who made Let’s Be Cops and The Girl Next Door, with his most recent credit being 2020’s Half Brothers. It was also written by Neil Goldman, who is a frequent collaborator with Bill Lawrence and has writing credits on shows like Shrinking and Scrubs, among many other series.

The cast, alongside Ritchson and James, will also feature Sarah Chalke, Alan Tudyk, Benjamin Pajak, Banks Pierce, Hiro Kanagawa, Stephen Root and Isla Fisher. So, we have a fun ensemble in Playdate as well.

All-in-all, Playdate is the movie I never saw coming, but now it’s one I can’t wait to see. So, you best believe I’ll be tuning in to watch Alan Ritchson and Kevin James on this playdate when the film premieres on November 12.

The new DCU under James Gunn is in full swing. The first big-screen adventure was a hit with Superman to the point that the sequel has already been announced, and Man of Tomorrow has a release date in less than two years. The future of things looks bright, which means that the eventual casting of some major DC heroes is likely very close. Alan Ritchson has already become a popular casting choice for Batman among fans, but it seems he’s not willing to take just any role.

The choice of Reacher’s Alan Ritchson to play the DCU’s official Batman in the forthcoming The Brave and the Bold has been something of a viral sensation. He’s been put in the Batuit in fan art, and the actor has made it clear that he’s potentially interested in playing Batman if it were to come his way. However, while he’s willing to be Batman, he tells Liamlovesmovies (via DCUPRIMETV) that he’s not interested in playing Aquaman. He said…

To be fair, Ritchson wouldn’t be taking anything from Jason Momoa, as he has left Aquaman behind and will appear as Lobo in the upcoming Supergirl movie. Still, it sounds like the Reacher star wouldn’t want to follow in the footsteps of Momoa. The pair worked together on Fast X with Ritchson playing the henchman to Momoa’s supervillain, so they clearly know each other.

Aquaman is one character that we haven’t heard much about when it comes to upcoming DC movies. While he’s a major name, and Jason Momoa’s time in the role certainly made him a success given the first Aquaman movie being a monster hit, we have no real expectations for when that character might appear. Although it certainly seems likely he will.

With an entirely new cinematic universe just getting underway, there are sure to be a lot of major roles that need filling, and even if there are some roles Alan Ritchson isn’t interested in, there are almost certainly multiple roles he would say yes to. The Batman part may not even be on the table for quite some time. While Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II now has a script and will be filming soon, the DCU Batman movie is apparently in limbo. While there are still plans for it to happen, it doesn’t appear to be progressing very quickly.

Alan Ritchson’s star is only continuing to rise, so whether or not he actually joins the DCU or not, it’s all but certain there will be some major franchise roles on offer in the future if he wants them. And if he actually gets offered Aquaman it perhaps he might reconsider. I’m sure Jason Momoa would be cool with it.

Even though Reacher won’t be returning to the 2025 TV schedule, fans will be able to watch Alan Ritchson in action on the big screen across multiple projects, and if the Neagley spinoff debuts this year, that one as well. Given the actor and his forever-chiseled abs almost exclusively takes on physically demanding roles with plenty of marquee fight scenes (Reacher included), one would think his innate athleticism wouldn’t be questioned in any way. And yet…

While in the Great North to promote Motor City, the period movie he switched up his look for, at the Toronto International Film Festival, Ritchson learned that “the Internet” wonders whether or not he considers himself to be athletic. The Titans vet was quickly taken aback, and responded in a hilariously self-aware way that was oozing with sassiness. Check out how his reply to KISS 92.5’s assertion on TikTok:

I'm so amused by his first instinct being to question the validity of what he was being asked about. Since that does seem like a bizarre thing for anyone to question publicly in a way that could be noted for a later generalization. It's like asking if an award-winning singer thinks they have a good voice, or if a Nobel Laureate thinks they're intelligent. The wording doesn't fully indicate the questioning party's assumptions, but it's close enough.

An actor whose sense of humor has always been part of his charm, Ritchson is great at not-quite-deadpanning into the camera with amused sauciness. Which he had on full display as he continued, saying:

Ritchson then compared that kind of question to moments when passersby will ask someone if they're famous, since the whole act of having to ask makes it clear that the person isn't famous enough to escape that specific question. A lot of people just shouldn't be allowed out of their hovels to talk to others, probably. I kid, I kid. (I'm not.)

Check out the video clip below to see that smirk remain planted on his face throughout his response.

I guess if workout videos and shirtless social media posts aren't enough to prove how athletic he is, his upcoming projects lineup should do the trick. Beyond Motor City, which has been getting much acclaim following its weekend premiere, Ritchson has the Christmas movie The Man with the Bag opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, the action-comedy Playdate with Kevin James and Sarah Chalke, the sci-fi thriller War Machine with Dennis Quaid and Stephan James, and Scott Waugh's action-thriller Runner co-starring Owen Wilson and Rodrigo Santoro.

He's currently filming Reacher Season 4, so no worries about having to go without the Lee Childs badass for too long. All three previous seasons can currently be streamed via Amazon Prime subscription while waiting for more updates.

Over three seasons, Reacher has been one of the best reasons to have a Prime Video subscription. As much as some might still love the Tom Cruise Jack Reacher movies, there’s little denying that Alan Ritchson is the physical embodiment of the character Jack Reacher was designed to be, and according to the star, the best is yet to come.

Reacher Season 4 has started filming, and Alan Ritchson took to Instagram to share a shot from the set, alongside the news that he had just finished filming the “best fight ever” for the new season. He understands just what a statement that is:

Last season was especially good for action fans as it put star Alan Ritchson, not a small human being himself, up against somebody even bigger in the form of bodyguard Paulie, as played by Olivier Richters. Season 4 of Reacher has only recently gone into production, but the hype train is starting, as Ritchson says a new fight scene he just finished may even be able to top that.

The image along with the Instagram caption doesn’t give us a lot to go on as far as what this fight scene will be. It’s unclear if it’s even directly related or just a standard BTS photo that happens to make Ritchson look like a total badass. If it is a shot from the scene, the two guys standing behind him might indicate that, rather than fighting somebody big, Reacher will take on a group of baddies.

Season 4 of Reacher is set to adapt Lee Child’s novel Gone Tomorrow, which sees Reacher have a run-in on a subway with a woman who kills herself, and Reacher attempts to figure out why. It follows a pretty standard structure for the series, as Jack Reacher doesn’t go looking for trouble, but it tends to find him, and his moral compass is such that he can’t simply ignore it.

With Reacher Season 4 only in production now, we're likely looking at a release near the end of 2026, possibly even early 2027. The good news for fans is that we should get the first season of Neagley, the spinoff series starring Maria Sten, in the interim. Indications are that Ritchson at least has a cameo appearance in the new show as well. That will hopefully have include pretty sweet action for those who don't want to wait.

I’m certainly looking forward to whatever this incredible fight scene will be. Even if it’s not quite the best thing Reacher has ever done, as Alan Ritchson implies, it’s likely to still be pretty impressive. Of course, with a lot of the new season likely left to film, maybe something even better is still to come.

Pretend you’re in a supermarket, walking down an aisle pushing a shopping cart filled to the brim with frozen pizzas, and someone you know starts going down the same aisle, points at your basket and jokes, “I don’t think you have enough frozen pizzas in there.” That’s basically what Reacher star Alan Ritchson did with his latest shirtless social post, only he was referring to his own ab muscles, and it was barely a joke, since he knows exactly where all of them are.

I mean, we all know where they are, since Mount Rushmore is only slightly more prominent a chiseled display than Ritchson’s torso. But in this context, the actor shared a post on Instagram that amusingly surmised that he sometimes loses track of his “other eleven abs,” while posting what may be the most muscle-bound tooth-brushing pic I’ve seen in recent memory.

The way this caption is worded alongside this picture, I'm almost convinced that Alan Ritchson actually has eleven OTHER abs that could postentially pop out and take someone's eyes out. I assume that's not the case, but as someone whose only experiences with six-packs involve aluminum can and plastic rings, I dare not make such blind assumptions.

Not surprisingly, Ritchson's followers had plenty of reactions to his shirtless pic, with more than a few addressing hopes that he'll play the DCU's Batman for James Gunn. (Amused props to Reacher makeup artist Kat Crisp for shouting out her own mother amidst the thirsty comments.) Check out some of the more amusing reactions below.

• If this is a Grandpa bod then call me Grandma - @pjraugust
• lol wtf how do you have 240 comments in 20 minutes at 7:30 in the morning😭 - @cnb_Ac3
• Where’s your shirt sir? Peoples moms are hot flashing - @m3theus23
• @catritchson next time he's in the shower, sneak up on him with a bucket of cold water and dump it on @alanritchson - @Bonkers81122
• Dude, if I was 20 years younger, you weren’t married and I wasn’t a lesbian,
  😛😆 - @vansionliving
• You are perfect even if you run out of abs - @rikiwichman
• Why is this photo an hour long? - @tracybydesign
• Love the Reacher toothbrush shot! - @annsnead

If there's one thing that fans know Reacher can't live without, it's...well, his abs, since they're attached to him. But in second place: definitely the toothbrush.

For all the people that were joyously horned up over seeing the actor's muscles, I am almost equally amused buy this overtly mature reaction:

Alan Ritchson certainly has a reason to stay looking as beefed up as possible, as he’s currently filming Reacher Season 4 (minor injuries and all). Beyond that, he’s also set to host the new reality series Predator vs. Prey, which won’t give him any reasons to suddenly let his muscles atrophy.

Fans likely won’t have to wait until Season 4 to see Ritchson’s Reacher knocking satellites out of space with only his ab muscles. Okay, that probably won’t ever happen. But the actor will likely show up at some point during the upcoming Neagley spinoff, which will hopefully be finished in time to premiere on the 2025 TV schedule, with the flagship series likely returning for its fourth season in the Spring or Summer of 2026.

In the meantime, if you experience any midair turbulence during a flight, it might just be one of Ritchson’s abs floating around the stratosphere. All three season of Reacher can be streamed with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Across three seasons of Reacher so far, Alan Ritchson has been a part of some hectic car chases, some bloody gunfights, and some epic hand-to-hand brawls, with his titular ex-military vagabond coming out on top each and every time. With every encounter, Ritchson’s towering height re-justifies the decision to cast him in the role, which famously went to Tom “Shortstack” Cruise for the pair of movies. It can be easy to forget just how big the dude is, but his awkward workout post is a hilarious reminder.

Reacher Season 4 is currently in the throes of production, and thus won’t be making a return to the 2025 TV schedule, but fans are holding out hopes that the upcoming spinoff Neagley will arrive before 2026 does. (Check out what star Maria Sten recent said about it.) In the meantime, we’ll just have to make do with Alan Ritchson’s social media posts like the one below, in which he has a pretty heightened issue with his hotel gym.

Yikes! It looks like the Titans vet could barely stand up in there in his bare feet, much less while wearing shoes and stepping up onto exercise equipment. Even the skinnest treadmill would still likely mean Ritchson would be grazing his head against the gym room's ceiling.

The text superimposed on the video, "Hotel gyms be like that," is a pretty good indicator that this wasn't Ritchson's first time having to cock his neck at a wonky angle in order to get his workout on. It's kind of amusing to think that there may be various hotels around the country (or world) where the ceiling is scuffed up where the actor's sweaty head brushed up against it.

Maybe in Reacher Season 4, he'll take on architects and construction workers who aren't designing hotel gyms to be tall enough. Not exactly the best use of the man's muscles and talents, but still.

Season 3 intentionally played up the character’s behemoth stature by casting Olivier Richters as the antagonist Paulie, who had little trouble going toe to toe with Ritchson, given his 7-foot, 2-inch height. As such, I don't see the creative team trying to top that by hiring an actor who's 7'5" or whatever, so maybe a low ceiling will be the big bad in the new season.

Reacher is heading to Philadelphia for Season 4, which he previously boasted is one that viewers will need to check their heart health due to overexcitement. He even went above an beyond by getting a shiner during the first month or so of filming. I'd hate to see the other guy, though. Especially if the other guy is a low-hanging hotel gym ceiling.

The next time you find yourself with your head in the clouds, you just might see Alan Ritchson's head also poking through. And guess what? He's actually kneeling down.

Reacher Season 4 is currently in production, and it looks like punches are not being pulled, literally. While there isn’t too much known about what will be in store for the fourth season, Alan Ritchson has been sharing some “high octane” details about the upcoming episodes. So it’s not surprising to know that filming Season 4 is getting intense, and Ritchson proved that by showing off his black eye.

As the titular Jack Reacher, Ritchson has been through the wringer in the first three seasons of the drama. He’s gotten pretty beat up and even had to spar another big guy in Season 3 (which aired earlier on the 2025 TV schedule). But fans knew what he would be getting into with the last season from the jump, as even the trailer showed Jack Reacher getting beaten up. Now that he’s filming Season 4, that action is continuing, as the actor shared a video to Instagram showing off a black eye, saying that work on Reacher’s “been a little rough this year.”

What exactly Jack Reacher will be getting himself into in Season 4 is unknown, but the show seems to be pulling out all the punches… pun intended. Of course, it’s not anything that Richtson isn’t used to, since Reacher is not the only project that he’s been getting beat up for. He was bloody and battered for a new movie that he shot right before filming for Reacher Season 4 began, too.

Plus, he has a history of quite literally diving into the action on this series available with an Amazon Prime subscription.

As for what exactly he’s previously gone through while filming Reacher, he’s been thrown against a wall nearly a dozen times in a row and was even knocked unconscious while filming the third season. And Paulie actor Olivier Richters previously told CinemaBlend that filming the fight between Reacher and Paulie was the “most physically demanding thing” either of them had done. So, yeah, Reacher is a physically intense project to make, and that's putting it lightly.

Luckily, Reacher is not just all about Alan Ritchson’s character getting beaten up. There is plenty of drama and action sequences that don’t involve someone getting hurt. Of course, there is also the insane number of times that Ritchson is shirtless, and I would love to have the job of whoever is responsible for taking those pictures.

It’s unknown when Reacher Season 4 will premiere, but the wait will be worth it, even if it means seeing Jack Reacher getting beaten up again. However, I will admit, I hope the series shows us how he got that black eye. But for now, while we anticipate that, fans can look forward to more BTS content from Ritchson while watching the first three seasons of Reacher on Prime Video.

The future of the DC Universe is looking bright for a lot of fans after James Gunn’s Superman stunned as the first entry for the superhero franchise reboot. Now, all eyes are on other upcoming DC movies and how other beloved heroes will be adapted. While the script for Robert Pattinson’s second outing as The Batman is in the can, that version of the character has been classified under Elseworlds. So, the hunt will be on for the main universe’s Batman eventually, and James Gunn just addressed a popular fan pick.

James Gunn Shares Thoughts On Alan Ritchson As Batman

Reacher actor Alan Ritchson has been the subject of Batman fan casting as of late, as we wait for the next Batman casting news. And when Gunn was a guest on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, he was naturally asked about his thoughts on the pick for the Caped Crusader. In his words:

Well, this is somewhat good news for fans who hope to see the actor in the cape and cowl. James Gunn is apparently already following his work and called himself a “big” fan of him, not only as an actor, but the man he is. Those are two important things that would heighten Ritchson’s chances of nabbing the part, but I think the Superman director left things open-ended for a good reason.

I note that because of what Gunn recently said about working on the DC Universe’s Batman. He’s still in the middle of cracking the latest version of the character. Last month, the Guardians of the Galaxy director said the character is his “biggest issue in all of DC right now” because “he’s incredibly important to the DC” and “has to have a reason for existing.” There have been so many iterations of the character over the years, so fans have already seen a lot of Batman. He doesn’t want it to feel like he’s making a Batman movie just because he’s incredibly popular, but because there’s a great new take for the comic book character.

So, I totally get why he won't directly comment on Ritchson's potential. However, I love that he loves the Reacher star.

What Alan Ritchson Has Said About Playing Batman

To move back to Alan Ritchson, the actor has definitely weighed in on playing Batman, considering apparently he gets “asked every day” about it. He's also so interested in playing the role that they “wouldn’t even have to pay” him. In another interview, he said he’d happily “shout” from the rooftops about his interest in taking on the role, also sharing that he loves that his superpower is intelligence and he wants to be “that guy.”

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that he loves sports cars and motorcycles like Batman does. Not to mention, Ritchson simply looks like a superhero and has the physique and work experience to play out the gritty action Batman tends to find himself in.

All that being said, James Gunn and his collaborators are still nailing down the script for the next Batman movie that’s not Robert Pattinson’s version. So, we’ll have to wait and see for a while before we officially meet the new Batman.

You know, every season of Reacher is what I would consider “high octane.” Apparently, though, we’re really going to be in for a wild and thrilling ride when the fourth season of the book-to-screen adaptation of Lee Child’s novels hits Amazon Prime. While that’s hard to fathom, Alan Ritchson broke down why fans might need to check their heart health before watching, and it truly upped my anticipation (and heart rate) for Season 4.

At the moment, Season 4 of Reacher is in production. So, as they continue to film and we keep waiting for new episodes to be available with an Amazon Prime subscription, Alan Ritchson gave an update about what’s to come. In his Instagram video showing some Reacher BTS, he used his caption to hype up what’s coming, saying he’s “so excited” about what they’re working on and that it “feels very right.” He also promised to deliver on the intensity this season, writing:

Let us not forget, last season, there was an incredibly intense fight between Reacher and Paulie that both Ritchson and Olivier Richters called “the most physically demanding thing” they’ve ever done. Also, the Reacher star has been open about getting thrown through walls and injured while making this show. What I mean by all this is: the ante has always been upped, so the fact that this season is setting the bar even higher is kind of mind-blowing.

However, the hype train doesn’t stop there, because the Fast X actor continued to explain why this season is so special and intense, writing:

To add fuel to Alan Ritchson’s fire, the synopsis for Gone Tomorrow, which is the book Season 4 is based on, is epic. In the novel, Reacher races through New York City as a bunch of people who are lying to him try and get him killed.

As the story unfolds, there’s a race through Manhattan, which is described as “a maze crowded with violent, skilled soldiers on all sides of a shadow war.” Also, to succeed, our titular character will have to look his “worst enemy in the eye.” So, if any of that happens in the show, we’re for sure in for an experience that's sure to raise our heart rates.

Well, that has me counting down the days until Season 4 is available with an Amazon Prime subscription, and I already couldn’t wait for more Reacher. So, consider me as thrilled as Alan Ritchson is about these upcoming episodes.

Overall, everything about this next season feels very exciting, and Ritchson’s post affirmed that. It also made it clear that he’s very passionate and confident about what they’re making. That kind of enthusiasm is infectious, and overall, I think we’re in for something really special and deeply intense when Reacher returns.

I gotta say, it’s been very easy to grow accustomed to seeing Alan Ritchson’s nomadic hulk Reacher hit the small screen each year with new seasons, and I’m as primed as anyone for Reacher Season 4 to arrive at some point after the 2025 TV lineup has faded into memory. That apparently won’t be the only place to watch the Titans vet in the near future, as he’s set to join the world of reality TV for an intense new project.

Ritchson will bring his winning personality and charisma out in full force as the host of an unscripted survival competition series called Predator vs. Prey. (I was admittedly somewhat disappointed to learn that this wasn’t, in fact, about humanoid extraterrestrials.) This series will feature cast members culled from other hit reality shows, following in the footsteps of all-star competition series like Battle Camp, with The Traitors arguably being the most zeitgeisty of them all at the moment.

The final cast list has not yet been revealed, but Variety reports that the contestants will come from shows that also take place in the wilderness. Examples listed include Naked & Afraid, Alone, Outlast, and the granddaddy of them all, Survivor. I can only assume that Predator vs. Prey will be quicker to loop in those who took part in the more head-to-head versions of Naked & Afraid, as opposed to the mothership series.

Here’s how Predator vs. Prey will work: 15 contestants will split into two groups to compete in a 21-day contest of hide and seek in a wilderness course that’s spread across a 25 square-mile area. The first group, as one might guess, will be the Predators, who are aiming to seek and capture Prey members to earn up to $500,000. Those who manage to avoid being caught will earn their own cash prizes.

Each episode will give the players a different challenge to get through unscathed, and it sounds like Alan Ritchson will have a say in what those challenges are. Interestingly enough, the actor won’t only take on hosting duties, as he’s also being dubbed a “game master” for the new show, which is being developed by reality TV mega-studio Bunim/Murray Production, which also gave audiences The Real World, Road Rules, and the mash-up competitions seen in The Challenge.

Here's what Ritchson had to say about it:

Bunim/Murray's senior VP of development, Gayani Wanigaratne, co-developed the new series with Ritchson, who will presumably get an executive producer or producer credit as well. Here's what Wanigaratne shared about working with the Reacher star:

So even though this technically has nothing to do with the Predator film franchise, it does sound like Alan Ritchson is saying he wants to “Get to the choppah!” to travel to the great beyond.

For now, Predator vs. Prey doesn't yet have a TV network or streaming service attached, but one can imagine that Ritchson's involvement will spark a lot of interest. I wouldn't be surprised if, like Reacher, it becomes exclusive to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription.

Alan Ritchson is currently in the process of filming Season 4 of Reacher, but will reprise the role before then for an appearance in the Neagley spinoff, as well as a big bloody role in the upcoming actioner Runner.