Reacher star Olivier Richters reveals Alan Ritchson was key to his casting as a major villain in the show. Richters, an international bodybuilder and actor who is also known as The Dutch Giant, joined the Reacher cast as Paul ‘Paulie’ Van Hoven in season 3. In the Prime Video show, Paulie is a former U.S. soldier who works as a henchman for Zachary Beck (Anthony Michael Hall), but is under direct orders from Xavier Quinn (Brian Tee).
In an interview with ScreenRant, Richters reveals that Ritchson, who plays the titular role of Reacher, had a great deal to do with his season 3 casting. The actor shared his first reaction after hearing Ritchson was involved in casting him and revealed that the audition involved the gym scene and one with Reacher, which he initially “did the scene wrong” but was offered a second chance before receiving the good news. Check out his comments below:
I sent him an Instagram message, and I think he never read it. I told him, “Hey, I just heard that I have [an audition] for Reacher and that it’s thanks to you. I don’t know if I’m going to get the part, but thank you so far.” So, that was my instant response. He found me on Reddit. Somebody posted me and he asked casting, “Hey, can you find out if this giant can act?”
The casting sent my agents two scenes. It was actually the gym scene and the first scene in the season where I meet Reacher at the gates. I uploaded those videos and they told me they can see that I’m Paulie, but I did the scene wrong. I did it very playfully, I wanted to make Reacher feel like a child, but they [wanted a] straight face. So then I gave them that tape and a few weeks later I heard, “You got the part,” and I went nuts.
I [had already watched], season one. I was halfway through season two because season two was releasing every week, so I was already a fan, and it’s very unrealistic that you’re a fan of the show and then, a few months later, you’re across the main character you used to watch. Sometimes I say it feels like I live in the Matrix–you don’t know what’s real anymore.
Richters Is The Paulie They Were Looking For
Richters’ casting is a crucial factor in making Paulie a worthy season 3 villain. Being seven feet and two inches tall and much bulkier than Reacher, Richters is the most physically threatening character in season 3. His casting also made the fight scene between him and the titular character one of the most anticipated moments in Reacher season 3. Ritchson has previously revealed that their epic fight scene was one of the most challenging scenes he filmed, which took three weeks and involved broken bones.
Related
Why Quinn Cuts Off Beck’s Ear In Reacher Season 3
Beck shows up with a cut-off ear in Reacher season 3’s episode 7 when he meets Neagley, making it hard not to wonder why Xavier Quinn chopped his ear.
Richters is a bodybuilder, fitness model, and actor, whose work can be seen in blockbuster productions, including in the cast of Marvel’s Black Widow, The King’s Man, Borderlands, and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. He has previously revealed that there were no special visual effects involved to amplify his character, whereas Ritchson had previously admitted that the production team used visual effects to place emphasis on Reacher’s presence in certain scenes.
Our Take On Richters’ Casting As Paulie
Richters’ Performance In Reacher Is Impressive As It Is Authentic
Olivier Richters is the perfect Paulie, and his casting is one of the best things in Reacher season 3. Not only is Richters able to bring a terrifying villain to life, but his performance radiates authenticity, which distinguishes Paulie from similar villains on television. While the character may not be the biggest threat Reacher faces, he has certainly made the season more interesting. It seems that Ritchson has great instincts for Richters and, as the actor who portrays Jack Reacher, certainly knows how to pick the perfect opponent.
Richters’ performance in the hit Prime Video series is very memorable. Paulie, as one of the eight main villains in Reacher season 3, certainly leaves a strong impression. By introducing Paulie, who’s at the forefront while worse villains run things from the shadows, the show raises the stakes at the same time.
The Reacher season 3 finale will be available to stream on Prime Video on Thursday, March 27 at 12 A.M. P.T./3 A.M. E.T.
Reacher
8/10
- Release Date
-
February 3, 2022
- Network
-
Prime Video
- Showrunner
-
Nick Santora
- Directors
-
Omar Madha, Carol Banker, Julian Holmes, Lin Oeding, M.J. Bassett, Norberto Barba, Stephen Surjik, Thomas Vincent
- Writers
-
Cait Duffy