Mr. Jones sadly is "a UK thing" and one almost hoped he
would make it in Hollywood - don't laugh, what about Mr. Seagal ? - so then we'd be shot of him.
Well, for at least one "star" role, anyway.
His reputation comes not from being type-cast, or anything so prosaic, but from being - don't want MR to get sued here - somewhat cavalier with the rules of Association Football.
In other words, let an ankle appear within even peripheral sight, and it would be immediately assisted off terra firma with a hefty boot full of studs.
If the ball was anywhere near, that would of course, be useful, but not essential.
This interesting attitude on the field was mirrored off pitch, hence his "hard man" reputation, hence a few adverts, and hence B-ish roles in anything requiring a lot of holding firearms or wielding knuckles and boots.
Much like his football, actually.......
HOWEVER.... Last night I watched "Taken" with Liam Neeson - and actually, with only a bit of beefing up, I reckon he'd be very, very good . Couple of steaks should do it .........
He'd look right - he's pretty impressive anyway - and you would, above all, have the advantage of being an excellent actor, with a powerful "silent" presence which I think Reacher needs, a history of doing at least one role that could easily act as an audition, along with a general canon of fine work anyway.
Dunno why I couldn't see it before.
Cruise, however... well, "Mission Impossible 87" is a good showcase of his......ability, of course
but I think Neeson just shades it, don't you ?