Production on the fourth season of Prime Video’s hit action series Reacher is underway, with Alan Ritchson set to return as the iconic Jack Reacher. However, the show has undergone a casting shake-up following the departure of Jay Baruchel due to an undisclosed personal matter.
As first reported by Deadline, Baruchel, 43, was originally cast to play Jacob Merrick, a small-town police officer. But just weeks after the casting announcement, he exited the production, prompting a swift recast. Actor Christopher Rodriguez-Marquette has now taken over the role. Rodriguez-Marquette is best known for his performance as Chris Lucado in HBO's Barry.
Baruchel, known for roles in How to Train Your Dragon, This Is the End, and BlackBerry, has not publicly commented on his departure or the circumstances behind it. He has been married to Rebecca-Jo Dunham since 2019.
Season 4 of Reacher is slated for release in 2026 and is based on Lee Child’s 2009 novel Gone Tomorrow, the 13th book in the bestselling Jack Reacher series. The show debuted in 2022 and quickly gained a strong following, with Ritchson’s portrayal of the title character receiving praise for aligning more closely with the physicality of the literary version than previous screen adaptations.
Tom Cruise previously played Jack Reacher in two feature films, beginning in 2012 under the direction of Christopher McQuarrie. Actor Jai Courtney, who appeared in the first film, recently reflected on missing out on the lead role for the TV series. Speaking to Forbes, he praised Ritchson's performance and expressed admiration for the actor’s growing career, particularly his upcoming role in Netflix’s War Machine alongside Courtney himself.
Despite the casting change, anticipation remains high for the upcoming season.
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