Alan Ritchson Claims Studios Urge Him to Stay Silent on Politics
The 'Reacher' star alleges that production companies have warned him against making public political statements.
“Reacher” star Alan Ritchson has stated that studios have cautioned him against discussing politics publicly, following a series of his outspoken political commentary. Ritchson also asserted that Amazon Prime Video rejected a proposed storyline for "Reacher" that involved White supremacists.
During a panel at Fan Expo Canada earlier this month, Ritchson humorously recounted receiving calls from studios urging him to refrain from public political discourse. "You know how many phone calls I get from studios like, ‘Would you shut the f— up, please? Stop talking in public,’" Ritchson was quoted as saying.
He further elaborated that his intention was not to create chaos but rather the opposite, though he refrained from detailing his specific political views. "I’m not going to do it. Sony told me not to. And I’m not going to say anything. Not today. Not today, [Jeffrey] Epstein,” he added, referencing a controversial figure.
Ritchson also claimed that Amazon Prime Video did not approve the adaptation of a "Reacher" book where the protagonist confronts a White supremacist militia. In a social media post, he responded to a fan’s disappointment about this decision, indicating that he had pushed for the adaptation but was denied. Ritchson alluded that the decision might be linked to political shifts.
In a previous interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April 2024, Ritchson, who identifies as Christian, criticized Christians who support former President Donald Trump. He described Trump as a "rapist and a con man" and expressed bewilderment at his perceived endorsement by the Christian church.
Following these statements, Ritchson claimed he faced negative repercussions. "If you want to see violence flee the world, be more generous to everybody! That is the Christian ethic! That is what I don’t see happening. And when I speak up about it in my own ways, I’m met with violence,” he said.
Christian Toto, a commentator for Hollywood in Toto, suggested that Ritchson's public statements could negatively impact his career. Toto remarked that Ritchson appears to be "doing all he can to personally sabotage" his projects and questioned the actor's decision to disregard studio advice.