When preparations commenced for the movie version of Margaret Mitchell’s hugely popular Civil War epic Gone With the Wind, practically everyone in the country had already read the book. When it came to casting the role of Rhett Butler, everyone’s consensus seemed to be Clark Gable. The King. While a flurry of screen tests had every leading lady in Hollywood vying for the role of Scarlett O’Hara, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind as to who should fill the shoes of Rhett Butler. Mr. Gable and Mr. Butler were a match made for the ages.

The Jack Reacher novels of Lee Child certainly don’t have the broad readership of a Gone With the Wind, but for the legion of fans who relish every Reacher adventure, casting has been vigorously debated over cocktails and water coolers. I’ve heard the names of Liam Neeson, Tom Selleck and Tim Robbins bandied about. Worthy choices all.

Well, the time has come. One Shot is headed for the silver screen. Internet chat rooms exploded a few weeks ago when it was announced that Jack Reacher would be played by none other than Tom Cruise. Perhaps the chatter has something to do with height. Jack Reacher is described as being well over six foot tall. Mr. Cruise is somewhere in the neighborhood of 5’7”. Some disparity there.

What Mr. Cruise may lack in height, he makes up for in star appeal. Apparently he bought the rights to the book, so he has the option of casting whomever he chooses. Reacher nation will have to deal with a shorter here, that’s all. And I’m sure Mr. Cruise will acquit himself admirably. Let’s not forget the mayhem he caused in both Knight and Day and Collateral.