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Question of the Day (QOTD) is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a film/TV-related question that we put to you, the reader. The comments section below is like the feedback box at work; except, in this example, we actually read what you write and care about what you have to say.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Lee Child, the author of the Jack Reacher series, mentioned Tom Cruise and the two Jack Reacher films. Apparently, Cruise was keen on taking a third crack at the character on the big screen, but Child decided to reboot the character as an upcoming Amazon TV series.
However, there was one section of the interview that got me thinking. Here is the excerpt:
“Cruise was reluctant. He had his own investment in it, he was going to argue against it. It sounds extremely patronizing but I think it’s good for him. He’s too old for this stuff. He’s 57, he needs to move on, transition to being a character actor. He could get another 20 years out of it. He has the talent. He’s a terrific guy, very considerate, good fun.”
It would seem that Child thinks Tom Cruise is too old to be playing action heroes anymore. He states that at 57, Cruise would be better suited—career wise—to transition back into a character actor. It’s an interesting statement and one I think is worthy of discussion.
So the question I ask today is: can actors be too old to play action heroes?
As much as I think that Lee Child is a remarkable writer, I have to call bullshit on this. Liam Neeson is the first actor to spring to mind when I think action star and he could have easily been deemed “old” when Taken came out in 2008. In fact, I’d argue that Neeson’s career has only thrived in recent years due to his starring turns in action movies. I sure as hell wouldn’t have watched The Commuter or Cold Pursuit if some younger schmuck was in the role.
The same can be said about Tom Cruise. He may be 57, but he looks 47. Plus, Jack Reacher isn’t no spring chicken. He’s supposed to be weathered with age. Sure, Cruise may get too old for the part if they keep releasing a new Reacher film every four years, but I don’t think Cruise is too old for action movies. That’s like saying an actor is too old for romantic-comedies or too young for coming-of-age films. If you can still look convincing while playing the part, I could care less about how old you are.
So what about you, folks? Do you think there is an age limit for actors when it comes to playing characters like Jason Bourne or Jack Reacher?
I’ll see you in the trenches.
