TheReacherfranchise includes a weird spin-off book series that would never work as a TV show. With its first two seasons, Amazon’sReacherhas been far more successful at adaptingLee Child’s originalJack Reacherbooksthan theTom Cruise movies. ConsideringReacherseason 3’s book choiceand casting updates, it will also likely tread a similar path as its predecessors and present a satisfying adaptation of its source material. As the live-actionReacheruniverse continues to grow, it will not be long before it will branch out into spin-off shows.
As per reports, aNeagley spinoff seriesis already being developed, which could eventually pave the way for other intriguingReacherfollow-ups. Interestingly, even though Lee Child never wrote any officialJack Reacherspinoff books, he has given rights to several authors to write books set in theJack Reacheruniverse. While some of these universe extensions have the potential to become decent TV shows, others are too weird to work in the live-action storytelling medium.
Jude Hardin’s The Reacher Experiment Is The Strangest Addition To The Reacher Universe
The Book Series Is Driven By A Bizarre Sci-Fi Concept
Comprising a total of nine books, Jude Hardin’sThe Reacher Experimentbook series brings a science fiction spin to Lee Child’s originalJack Reacheryarn. Instead of focusing on the original overpowered character,The Reacher Experimentpresents the story of a forty-one-year-old retired United States Navy Master at Arms, Rock Wahlman. He discovers his existence is the consequence of a cloning experiment, wherehe was created as a genetic duplicate of Jack Reacher.
Diane Capri’sHunt For Reacheris anotherJack Reacherspinoff book series that focuses on FBI agents, Otto and Gaspar, who follow Reacher’s trial of blood to hunt him down.
After learning the shocking truth about his origins, Rock Wahlman finds himself on the run when he discovers that someone wants all the evidence surrounding the experiment erased. With a mysterious set of individuals behind his back, determined to wipe him out of existence, Jude Hardin sets out on a journey to find the truth about his creation as Jack Reacher’s clone. Although intriguing in some ways,The Reacher Experimentis driven by a bizarre concept that almost seems a little too out of place for theReacheruniverse.
Why The Reacher Experiment Would Never Work As A TV Adaptation
Its Tone Would Is Not Be In Tandem With The Amazon Show’s
TheJack Reacherfranchise is known for featuring several over-the-top action sequences. Oftentimes, even the titular character achieves feats that stretch the suspension of disbelief too far. However, when it comes to the crime-solving aspects, settings, character beats, and suspense in the originalJack Reacherstories, they seem fairly realistic and grounded.The Reacher Experiment, in contrast, relies on an entirely different approach by using a highly fictional and outlandish sci-fi concept to drive its story.
…The Reacher Experiment’s story setup seems too far removed from the established tone and style of the original Reacher series.
Since Amazon’sReacher, so far, has only unfolded in fairly realistic scenarios without introducing fantastical elements, it would not make sense if it branches out into a spinoff that focuses on Jack Reacher’s clone. Asthe Neagley spinoff seriessuggests,there is room for theReacherfranchise to explore more diverse and imaginative narratives through the eyes of other characters. However,The Reacher Experiment’s story setup seems too far removed from the established tone and style of the original Reacher series. It might still work as a standalone show but not as a direct extension of Reacher.
Reacher
Reacher follows Jack Reacher, a former military police investigator, as he navigates civilian life. Without a phone and carrying minimal belongings, Reacher drifts across the country, experiencing the nation he once served, and encounters intriguing challenges along the way.
