Tom Cruise 'Too Short', Dropped From 'Jack Reacher' Reboot The 'Jack Reacher' creator has decided that the 5-foot-7-inch Cruise is just too short to play the 6-foot-5-inch Reacher. "The idea is that when Reacher walks into a room, you're all a little nervous just for that first minute. And Cruise, for all his talent, didn't have that physicality." Lee Child, author of 'Jack Reacher' novels, via 'BBC Radio' Cruise portrayed Reacher in 2012's 'Jack Reacher' and 2017's 'Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.' Child said a deal was signed last week to make a new 'Jack Reacher' TV series. "We're going to take it to Netflix or something like that. Long form streaming television, with a completely new actor." Lee Child, via 'BBC Radio' There was originally an outcry from readers when Cruise's casting was first announced in 2011. "I want all those readers who were upset about Tom Cruise to help me out – participate in choosing the right actor for the TV series." Lee Child, via 'BBC Radio' "We're rebooting and starting over and we're going to try and find the perfect guy." Lee Child, via 'BBC Radio'