"I Haven't Experienced Anything Like That": Reacher Star Details Taking A Real Punch From "Monster" Actor For Season 3 Fight Scene

Reacher star Alan Ritchson recalls filming one big season 3 fight with Paulie actor Olivier Richters, and he got punched for real. Premiering in 2022, the hit Prime Video series adapts author Lee Child’s hit Jack Reacher book series. Reacher season 3 is set to bring the events of Child’s Persuader to the small screen this week, with Ritchson’s hulking hero infiltrating a criminal organization and finding himself at odds with Paulie, an enforcer who is even bigger than he is.

In a recent interview with Eammon Jacobs of Business Insider, Ritchson reveals that filming one Reacher season 3 fight scene with Richters became a little too real, and he took an actual (accidental) hit. The actor goes on to praise Richters’ intense physicality, and teases that they put a lot of work into making the action as hard-hitting as possible this season, with one fight taking three weeks to film. Check out Ritchson’s comment below:

"I took a punch accidentally one time, and I was like, 'I don't think I would want to get in a fight with this guy in real life.' He's pretty tough. He's a monster, man, and he worked really hard to come in and be ready for the 'Reacher' world. He trained for like four months before we got to set together and hopefully it shows.
"I think audiences are gonna get to see something they've never seen before. In the book, if you're a reader of the books and 'Persuader,' you get the sense that Reacher's gonna die fighting this guy and there's no way he can figure out a way to win. Filming those kind of fights, the amount of time we spent invested in that, three weeks for one fight in particular, hopefully, we give TV audiences the same kind of feeling.
"It was fun and I definitely haven't experienced anything like that in the prior two seasons of Reacher."

What Ritchson’s Comment Means For Reacher Season 3

Will It Be Better Than Season 2?

Though Reacher season 2 reviews were generally positive, there were some complaints about the action and the fact that Reacher spends much of the season working with a team rather than on his own. Season 3, from what’s been revealed so far, looks to be rectifying both of these issues. Not only is Reacher working undercover as a lone wolf in season 3, but Ritchson’s comment suggests they’ve put a greater focus on getting the action right this time around.

Reacher punching Paulie and Reacher responding to getting punched

Reacher Season 3 Should Break A Major Lee Child Book Rule With Its Long-Awaited Paulie Fight

Amazon is hyping up the fight between Reacher and his latest enemy Paulie in season 3, and the show should break a book rule to make it more intense.

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Not enough Reacher season 3 reviews have rolled in yet to paint a full picture, but the response so far has been generally very positive. On Rotten Tomatoes, season 2 has a 98% score from critics and a more lukewarm 76% from audiences. It’s entirely possible that, with these changes and even stronger fighter scenes, season 3 will surpass these scores to become the best outing for the character yet.

Though most characters from season 2 aren't returning in season 3, Maria Sten will reprise her role as Frances Neagley.

Our Take On Ritchson's Reacher Season 3 Teases

Paulie Could Be Just What Season 3 Needs

Olivier Richters stares down Alan Ritchson in a scene from Reacher season 3

One aspect of Reacher as a character that is evidently appealing to audiences is his immense size and physicality. In past seasons, he has used this to take down enemies in bone-crunching fashion, but introducing the even larger Paulie is set to add an interesting wrinkle for the hero in the new episodes. Instead of just relying on his physical strength, Reacher will also have to use his wits, and this could make his fight with Paulie the show's most intense yet.

Ritchson's latest comment is hopefully an indication that this fight won't end up being a let-down like some of season 2's fights were;

With how much the marketing has been building Paulie up as a villain, expectations are sure to be high for when he and Reacher eventually come to blows. Ritchson's latest comment is hopefully an indication that this fight won't end up being a let-down like some of season 2's fights were. After season 2 lacked any standout fight sequences, Reacher season 3 looks to make up for this in a big way.

Reacher season 3 premieres on Prime Video on Thursday, February 20.

Source: @eammonjacobs