Reacher and the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be somewhat similar, but one star noticed some key differences. While the MCU has achieved world-renowned and genre-defying success, having earned over $30 billion at the box office, Reacher has become successful on a much smaller scale. The Prime Video thriller is currently in its third season, and its spin-off, Neagley, is currently in development. Reacher season 4 has already been confirmed, and the show is poised to continue for years to come.
In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Owen Danoff, Olivier Richters (Paulie) opened up about his time on the show and its connection to the enormous MCU. Because Richters appeared in Black Widow (2021), he compared his experiences with both franchises and the acting styles that each required. While Marvel asks its actors to exaggerate their performances, Reacher wanted more subtle acting from its stars. Check out his explanation below:
Sometimes throwing the lines away. I’ve been on Marvel, and that’s maybe a little bit more acting in an overexaggerated way because you can. Reacher is more like you and me are speaking now. So, sometimes he felt like, “No, let’s say that a bit more like it’s [throwaway],” or we changed some words.
But also other simple stuff. Like, at some point a body is falling out of a car in front of me and my line is very simple–”What the f***?” And you can think, like, “Well, what’s going to go wrong with that?” But I said it and Alan came up to me, and he explained me that if you say that, you should say that to yourself–you don’t say that out loud. Those small things just make the line, even if it’s three words. It’s so important, the small stuff.
What The Marvel Comparison Means For Reacher
And What It Means For The MCU
The MCU has succeeded because of its larger-than-life portrayal of its characters. These movies often rely on witty one-liners and comedy to undercut serious moments in favor of a more light-hearted portrayal that somewhat lowers their stakes. Some films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, rely on serious depictions, but others, including the Deadpool franchise, focus entirely on exaggerated acting. This effect undercuts dramatic elements, though it ensures a fast-paced and exciting production overall.
Reacher is based on a series of books by author Lee Child.
Reacher‘s distinct approach is grounded in realism and often depends on emphasizing its dramatic moments. Though it does include occasional moments of humor, it generally allows scenes to breathe to ensure a more character-focused style. The acting itself is grounded, as the show is meant to mimic real-world action. Its leading man, Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), is an impressive fighter, but he still lacks the superpowers that set Marvel apart, which is why he requires grounded stakes and gravitas. Neither style is inherently superior, but both create distinct effects on the overall tone of their worlds.
Our Take On Reacher’s Differences From Marvel
They Are Both Somewhat Over-The-Top
Reacher‘s solemnity does not mean that it lacks the over-the-top nature of the MCU. Both shows still feature their heroes as nearly unstoppable beings with a relentless desire to destroy their ever-expanding roster of enemies. Still, after a decade of dominance by Marvel, it is refreshing to see a popular show that takes itself relatively seriously. Reacher is funny as a character, but it is never to the detriment of the story, because he is joking to his friends, rather than a wider audience. It is a more realistic portrayal than the MCU’s acting style and certainly fits Reacher‘s world.
Reacher
8/10
- Release Date
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February 3, 2022
- Network
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Prime Video
- Showrunner
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Nick Santora
- Directors
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Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
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Cait Duffy