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6 Actors Who Could Be Jack Ryan

Mania's Choices for the next Jack Ryan

By Mania Staff     July 07, 2009


Who Could be the Next Jack Ryan? Mania gives their thoughts.
© Rob Worley

 

Maniacs today are buzzing on the news that George Clooney wants to be the next man filling the shoes of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan character. Our staff put together a list of who we thought could step into Langley and fill the CIA shoes of Harrison Ford or Alec Baldwin…Uh, we’re not going to count Ben Affleck.
 
1. Sam Worthington
 
Who is He? Aussie actor Sam Worthington is a relative newbie in the Hollywood scene, making his debut on soaps and various televised programs in the land down under since the early 2000s. But it seems eye-opening clear that the actor won’t be called a “Noob” when that New York ball drops on 2010. After over shadowing Bale’s performance in McG’s Terminator Salvation, Sam is set to face off against mythical gods as Perseus in Clash of the Titans and deal with an alien environment in James Cameron’s little-talked about action adventure, Avatar.
 
 
Why Him? If James Cameron considers him the next big thing, we’re pretty sure Sam Worthington could wind up being the next big thing and pull off a decent Jack Ryan. Namely because it’s James Freaking Cameron and he’s correct on just about everything. Worthington recently pulled off a decent robotic presence in Terminator Salvation and we all know how government officials are two circuits shy of being robots themselves.
 
2. John Hamm
 
Who is He? Hamm is best known for his role as Ad-guru and all around sneaky douche bag, Don Draper (aka Dick Whitman), Hamm has also had a feature role in ‘The Day the Earth Stood Still’ and was hilarious playing Lex Luthor in this Funny or Die sketch.
 
 
Why Him? Square jawed, dark, handsome; Hamm has the dashing leading man looks that are the mold for Jack Ryan. With the success of Mad Men, he also seems to be a star on the rise.
 
3. Kevin Spacey
 
Who is He? Born in Jersey, Kevin Spacey has been around the Hollywood scene for nearly twenty five years. Like most stars, the actor entered the business as some unnamed extra in an obscure title that nobody really remembers. Eight years later, he would find his way into the uber-cool camp by gaining his first Oscar for the role of Verbal Kint. In a three-year stretch, he turned audience heads with roles in The Usual Suspects, Se7en, A Time to Kill and L.A. Confidential. The rest is history.
 
 
Why Him? While Spacey doesn’t exactly scream Clancy’s character at first glance, the actor has already displayed the dramatic acting chops to play the intellectual and master strategist that Jack Ryan is known for. Kevin has shown that he has what it takes to play a master schemer from his efforts as a political mastermind in Recount, a shadowy crime lord in The Usual Suspects, and a twisted genius in Se7en, even if the qualities of the last film aren't exactly things we look for in our government officials (but usually find anyway).
 
4. Viggo Mortensen
 
Who is He? A true New Yorker, Viggo made his mark as a leading man playing Aragorn in the indie house flick Lord of the Rings. But Mortensen has been around the Hollywood block; portraying everyone from a young Amish man in Witness to a Submarine Lieutenant in Crimson Tide (Hello, Hunt for Red October rip off!) and is set to be a single dad in the heart warming holiday film The Road.
 
 
Why Him? Mortensen would give a rugged twist to the Jack Ryan character. Kind of what Daniel Craig did for James Bond. You wouldn’t lose any of the thinking man aspect of Jack, but would certainly give him an ‘uh oh, this guy might be on steroids’ edge.
 
5. Nathan Fillion
 
Who is He? Originally from the Great White North eh, Fillion swept down like an anti-Alberta clipper and melted our American hearts starring in such roles as Firefly, Buffy, Serenity and Slither.  But really, who could forget PG Porn?
 
 
Why Him? A fan favorite, Fillion could add a sense of quirkiness to the character, and despite being a Canadian, Fillion still has the “All-American” appearance of Jack Ryan. His Firefly/Serenity Mal character is very Solo-esque, so let him follow in the footsteps of Harrison Ford. 
 
6. Guy Pearce
 
Who is He? Born in England before his family immigrated to Australia at the age of three, Guy Pearce entered tinsel town with some brief parts in TV in the early 90s. His big break came when he starred opposite our other Jack Ryan-nominee, Kevin Spacey, in the critically-acclaimed L.A. Confidential. Other notable works showcasing his dramatic acting chops include Christopher Nolan’s Memento, The Proposition and The Hurt Locker.
 
 
Why Him? Guy has shown all the quirky traits we normally see in our elected officials. From playing an honest back-stabbing jerk in L.A. Confidential to playing a dishonest back-stabbing jerk in The Count of Monte Cristo to literally eating the weak in the cannibalistic Ravenous, Pearce pretty much has C.I.A mastermind and potential future President stamped across his forehead.
 
Don’t agree with our candidates? Sound off below and tell us who you think would make a great Jack Ryan!

 

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COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

Showing items 1 - 10 of 19
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superrichtheman 7/7/2009 4:48:34 PM

What about Leo or Russell Crowe?  One of those guys seem like they could work.

Wiseguy 7/7/2009 5:38:12 PM

Fillion? I think he's better off in something that calls for some comedy and wise  cracking.

I think Pearce is the only one that I'd like, a terrific actor. Don't really know Hamm so won't opine about him. But if they go with the rumored Clooney I think it would be ok with most fans, yours truly included

fft5305 7/7/2009 6:09:18 PM

I wouldn't mind seeing Leo do it.  I'd really like to see him do a balls-to-the-wall action movie.  He's done stuff with action in it, but not a pure action movie.  Something like when Keanu did Speed.

almostunbiased 7/7/2009 7:23:43 PM

I have to say I think everyone of these choices sucks.  I really don't want to see clooney do it because he's too old, but I'd pick him over anyone of these guys.  I say give it back to Ben before you pick any of these guys.  Abd don't get me wrong because I think Viggo, Guy, Nathan and Kevin are all great actors, just not right for the part.  The other guys are ok too, but just not sure about them for Ryan.

Tonebone 7/7/2009 8:29:45 PM

Well, I think all gentlemen mentioned would be great choices.

 

Just curious though why Nathan Fillion's role as Joey Buchanan on One Life to Live wasn't mentioned?(Yes, I am a soap fan and he will always "Joe" to me). The guys got the chops to pull off dramatic

westend 7/7/2009 9:16:17 PM

 I kinda like Viggo.

DaForce1 7/7/2009 9:34:44 PM

I've always thought that the actors whos careers are about to die usually are the ones that end up playing Jack Ryan. So how about John Travolta?

jedibanner 7/8/2009 5:27:26 AM

I prefer Clooney over all these names.

almostunbiased 7/8/2009 9:38:36 AM

Travolta would be horrible.  I hope that was a joke, because if it was I did laugh.

NotAFan 7/8/2009 10:01:18 AM

Forget it! Shia Lebuff will play Jack Ryan! He is in everything! Hopefully the little fucker will die of alcohol poisoning before it happens!

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