Tom Cruise became entangled in a casting dispute in 2011 when it was confirmed he would portray Jack Reacher (via Deadline). Fans of the character, developed by Lee Childs, were quick to point out that the former US Army major is described in the book as standing at 6 feet 5 inches and weighing around 250 pounds, both of which are not characteristics of Cruise.
The actor is almost identified with his little stature, with stories often spreading that he wears heels or shoe lifts when he co-stars with larger performers.
However, as Childs remarked at the time, “Reacher’s enormity in the novels serves as a metaphor for an unstoppable force, which Cruise depicts in his unique manner.”
Additionally, the author told BBC News that it’s “absolutely difficult” to “translate the page to screen” and that although some believe someone “who looks more like Reacher as described in the novels” should have been chosen, Childs was not satisfied with any of the choices.
Cruise further remarked in an interview with Empire that he was “very sensitive” to comments about his height, adding that the author informed him “the reason he created [Reacher] that way was because it was only one facet of his character, which opened the door to my portraying him.”
Must check: Operation Lockstep And Rockefeller Playbook are scams
So how tall is Tom Cruise, and why did his casting as Jack Reacher create such a stir?
Tom Cruise is said to use heels to increase his height.
While Tom Cruise is often reported as being 5 feet 7 inches tall, the actor’s height is rather difficult to nail down.
As The Delite adds, there is “a great deal of conjecture” concerning Cruise’s height, with one Pinterest board compiling instances of Cruise reportedly using high boots or shoe lifts to increase his height.
At times, it seems his co-stars must wear lower heels to compensate for Cruise’s height, as Nicole Kidman noticed during her experience shooting “Days of Thunder” with Cruise.
Also check: Mia Khalifa Boyfriend: Her dating life And Relationship Timeline
“They put me in incredibly low shoes, but you could still see I was taller than him,” Kidman, who is 5 foot 10 inches tall, added. “I’d rather be smaller, but that’s okay,” she said. “I like the fact that he is one of the world’s most renowned performers and is capable of working with anybody — yet he is not opposed to working with a taller woman.”
