MOVIE NEWS – Alan Ritchson is well on his way to becoming Hollywood’s next major action star, and his latest project is set to make waves. The Reacher actor has signed on to star in War Machine, an upcoming Netflix action film. While little is known about the movie, it features Ritchson alongside a cast packed with action veterans. And according to Ritchson himself, War Machine will be Netflix’s “biggest movie ever.” Now that’s a bold claim.
During an appearance on WIRED’s Autocomplete Interview series, Ritchson answered some of the most commonly searched questions about him. One of the top inquiries was, “What new movie is Alan Ritchson in?” Taking the opportunity, he hyped up his upcoming project.
“Dude, I’ve got like nine movies coming out, it’s crazy. War Machine for Netflix. And listen up, because you heard it here first—this is going to be, no, not ‘probably,’ it IS going to be the biggest movie Netflix has ever made. This thing is an absolute beast. It’s the coolest project they’ve ever done, guaranteed.”
War Machine is directed by Patrick Hughes (The Expendables 3) and co-written by James Beaufort. The film stars Ritchson alongside Stephan James, Jai Courtney, Dennis Quaid, Esai Morales, and Daniel Webber. According to IMDb, the plot follows “the final recruits of an elite special ops training program who come face to face with a deadly force from beyond our world.” The film is still without a release date, but Netflix acquired it from Lionsgate for worldwide distribution.
Ritchson also teased several of his other upcoming films, including Play Date with Kevin James, Runner with Owen Wilson, and Painter, which he describes as “like a new John Wick.” He also mentioned Motor City, a long-awaited project based on a previously blacklisted script, co-starring Shailene Woodley, Pablo Schreiber, and Ben Foster. Speaking about Motor City, Ritchson had this to say:
“An action movie with zero dialogue that’s an absolute work of art—a ‘70s-style period piece.”
Could Alan Ritchson’s War Machine Turn Netflix’s Fortunes Around?
Ritchson’s rising stardom might be enough to get audiences excited, but Netflix has learned the hard way that big names alone don’t always guarantee success. Recent releases like Back in Action (starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx), Kinda Pregnant (starring Amy Schumer), and The Electric State (starring Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown) all received lukewarm to negative reviews. Netflix could use a big win—but that win needs to come from more than just A-list stars. Better scripts, stronger performances, and visionary directors are all key.
While Patrick Hughes isn’t known for critical darlings, War Machine seems right in his wheelhouse. With action powerhouses like Ritchson and his co-stars in the mix, this could be the hit Netflix needs. One thing is for certain: it won’t be as expensive as The Electric State, which had a staggering $320 million budget—money that many viewers are still wondering where it went.
Source: WIRED
