Did Tom Cruise block Joe Manganiello from ‘Reacher’ over Sofía Vergara?

Joe Manganiello suspects Tom Cruise influenced his lost ‘Reacher’ role over their shared ex, Sofía Vergara

Joe Manganiello believes Tom Cruise may have played a role in his missing out on Amazon's Reacher, according to claims in his upcoming memoir, Bloodlines.

The actor's team reportedly suspected Cruise intervened because of his past relationship with Sofía Vergara, Manganiello's former wife.

According to an advance copy of the memoir obtained by the New York Post, Manganiello was initially considered a strong contender for the lead role in the action series. The actor writes that he met Skydance producer Don Granger for approximately 90 minutes to discuss the character of Jack Reacher.

Granger reportedly praised Manganiello's resemblance to the character described in Lee Child's novels, calling him the closest person to Reacher he had encountered. Manganiello also claims that Skydance owner David Ellison and Child were impressed with his performance.

However, the casting process allegedly took a different direction after then-Amazon Studios chief Jen Salke expressed frustration at being excluded from decisions by male producers. Manganiello's team subsequently speculated that Cruise might have opposed his casting because of Vergara.

Cruise reportedly dated Vergara in 2005, years before she married Manganiello in 2015. The couple divorced in 2023. Manganiello has not presented evidence that Cruise influenced the casting decision, and no response from the actor has been reported.

Cruise previously portrayed Jack Reacher in the 2012 film Jack Reacher and its 2016 sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. Amazon later adapted the book series for television, casting Alan Ritchson in the lead role in September 2020. The series premiered on Prime Video in February 2022 and was renewed for a fifth season in May 2026.

Manganiello's memoir also explores his health struggles and the breakdown of his marriage to Vergara, including his account of how his autoimmune disease affected their relationship.