Fans are still eagerly speculating about the potential for a third Jack Reacher movie, following Tom Cruise’s first two films in the series. The original Jack Reacher (2012) was well-received, earning $218 million worldwide and holding a 64% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back (2015), fell short of expectations, with a 38% rating and $162 million at the box office.
As of August 2024, both films have made a notable impact on Netflix’s Top 10 most-watched movies, sparking renewed interest in a potential third installment. Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote and directed the first film and produced the second, has expressed interest in taking the franchise in a darker, R-rated direction, inspired by the success of films like Deadpool and Joker. McQuarrie believes this approach would better capture the gritty nature of Lee Child’s books.
Despite the shift in focus to the Amazon Prime Video Reacher series, McQuarrie and Cruise still have ideas for continuing their version of the story. McQuarrie is excited about potential future projects but notes that the current discussions are still preliminary.
Director Edward Zwick, who worked on Never Go Back, has also shown willingness to return to the franchise. He reflected on the film’s mixed reception and his desire to make amends, acknowledging that he would be open to collaborating on a third movie if Cruise reached out.
Currently, if a Jack Reacher 3 were to be greenlit, it would likely be some time before production begins. Tom Cruise is busy with several other projects, including his final Mission: Impossible film, a planned space movie with Doug Liman, and a new Top Gun sequel. With Cruise’s new deal with Warner Bros. and ongoing commitments, the timeline for Jack Reacher 3 remains uncertain.
Will Tom Cruise’s Jack Reacher 3 ever be released?
While Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie remain hopeful about the possibility of a Jack Reacher 3, it seems unlikely that the film will come to fruition in the near future.
Several factors contribute to this uncertainty. For one, the already-successful Reacher series on Prime Video, starring Alan Ritchson, continues to gain popularity. The show is set to return for Season 3 in late 2025, further establishing its foothold in the Reacher universe.
Additionally, Cruise’s packed schedule with other major projects—including his final Mission: Impossible film, a space movie with Doug Liman, and a new Top Gun sequel—leaves little room for a third Jack Reacher installment.
Given the mixed critical and financial reception of the first two movies, it seems even less likely that a new film would be developed. For now, fans can catch both of Cruise’s Jack Reacher films on Netflix and Paramount+, while the Reacher series is available on Amazon Prime Video.
