In his newly released memoir Bloodlines, the actor describes a promising audition for the Prime Video series and speculation involving Cruise’s past relationship with Sofía Vergara. No evidence has established that Cruise interfered.
Joe Manganiello says his representatives suspected Tom Cruise might have influenced his rejection for the lead role in Prime Video’s Reacher because of Cruise’s past relationship with Sofía Vergara. The allegation appears in Manganiello’s memoir Bloodlines, released Tuesday, October 13, 2026, but the actor acknowledges that he has no proof Cruise interfered with the casting decision.
Manganiello, 49, describes spending approximately six months pursuing the role before it went to Alan Ritchson in 2020. According to his account, several producers supported his casting, but disagreements involving Amazon Studios executives complicated the selection process.
The actor’s suggestion about Cruise remains speculation rather than an established account of what happened. Neither Cruise’s involvement in the final casting decision nor a connection to Vergara has been independently demonstrated.
Manganiello Recalls Promising Reacher Meeting
Manganiello writes that he met with Skydance executive Don Granger in January 2020 to discuss portraying Jack Reacher, the fictional former military police investigator created by novelist Lee Child.
The character is described in Child’s books as approximately 6 feet, 5 inches tall, with an imposing physical presence. Manganiello stands around the same height, making him a potential fit for the character’s appearance.
Cruise had previously portrayed Reacher in two theatrical films, Jack Reacher in 2012 and Jack Reacher: Never Go Back in 2016. His casting attracted criticism from some readers because he was considerably shorter than the character described in the novels.
During their meeting, Manganiello says Granger discussed the importance of choosing an actor who looked like the literary character while also demonstrating the intelligence and acting ability required for the role.
The conversation reportedly lasted approximately 90 minutes.
Manganiello recalls that Granger was enthusiastic about his suitability, describing him as remarkably close to the fictional character. The actor says the encouragement gave him confidence that he could secure the part.
He also claims that Skydance founder David Ellison and Reacher author Lee Child reacted positively to his audition. Writer and producer Nick Santora was reportedly among those supporting his selection.
According to Manganiello, the production team eventually presented him as its preferred candidate. However, he says the process changed when senior Amazon executive Jennifer Salke raised concerns about how the decision was being made.
Amazon Casting Disagreement Alleged
Manganiello writes that Salke, who headed Amazon Studios at the time, was unhappy about being excluded from important discussions about the show’s lead actor.
He alleges that she believed a group of predominantly male producers had moved too far toward a final decision without sufficient involvement from her.
The actor says Salke wanted casting officials to reconsider other candidates rather than immediately approve his selection.
These claims represent Manganiello’s account of internal discussions. The producers and executives involved have not independently confirmed every detail of his description.
After several weeks, Manganiello says he was asked to complete another screen test involving additional dialogue.
He claims the new audition placed him in competition with Tom Welling, known for portraying Clark Kent in the television series Smallville.
Manganiello was frustrated by the request because he believed he had already demonstrated his ability to portray the character. He also describes facing serious medical problems during the casting process.
The actor says he considered refusing the additional audition but eventually agreed after consulting his representatives.
A few days later, he learned he had not been selected.
Manganiello writes that the rejection was especially disappointing because he had invested considerable time preparing for the role and believed he had strong support from the production team.
Why Manganiello’s Team Suspected Cruise
Following the rejection, Manganiello says his representatives considered whether Cruise might have influenced the decision behind the scenes.
Cruise had played Reacher in the previous films and was associated with the franchise through those productions.
Manganiello writes that his team wondered whether Cruise might have objected to his casting because both actors had been romantically linked to Sofía Vergara.
Cruise and Vergara reportedly dated briefly in 2005, approximately a decade before she married Manganiello.
Manganiello and Vergara began dating in 2014 and married in November 2015. They announced their separation in July 2023, and their divorce was finalized in 2024.
The possible connection led Manganiello’s representatives to question whether a personal relationship could have influenced a professional casting decision.
However, the memoir provides no documented evidence establishing that Cruise opposed Manganiello or communicated an objection to Amazon.
Manganiello acknowledges the uncertainty in his account.
“It was all just speculation,” he writes.
That admission is important because the allegation concerns another actor’s professional conduct. The circumstances of the casting decision cannot be established simply because Manganiello’s team suspected outside interference.
Cruise’s precise authority over the television series is also unclear. Although Manganiello refers to a possible executive producer connection, Cruise is not generally listed among the credited executive producers of Prime Video’s Reacher.
The available reporting therefore does not support stating as fact that Cruise had the power to veto Manganiello’s casting.
Entertainment Weekly reported that it contacted representatives for Cruise, Vergara and Salke regarding the allegations. No substantive response establishing Cruise’s involvement had been reported as of October 13.
Alan Ritchson Ultimately Won the Role
Amazon announced Alan Ritchson as the lead actor in September 2020. The television adaptation premiered on Prime Video in February 2022.
Ritchson, known for roles in Titans and Blue Mountain State, brought a physical presence closer to the character’s appearance in Child’s novels.
The series follows a former military investigator who travels across the United States and becomes involved in dangerous criminal investigations.
Its first season adapted Child’s debut Reacher novel, Killing Floor. The show went on to become one of Prime Video’s prominent action franchises.
Ritchson has also described experiencing a difficult audition process. In previous interviews, he said producers initially rejected him before inviting him to audition again.
His account indicates that the casting process involved multiple rounds and changes in direction. It does not establish why Manganiello was rejected or whether any particular executive made the decisive choice.
The series has continued well beyond its original season. Amazon announced a fifth-season renewal in May 2026 and confirmed a sixth season in September.
Ritchson remains the franchise’s television lead.
Bloodlines Addresses Health Crisis and Marriage
The Reacher casting dispute is one of several personal and professional experiences Manganiello discusses in Bloodlines.
Published by Avid Reader Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, the 320-page memoir focuses heavily on a severe medical crisis that affected his health, career and relationships.
Manganiello describes experiencing years of serious symptoms involving multiple parts of his body. He underwent major surgeries, including the removal of his large intestine, while doctors investigated an illness that remained difficult to diagnose.
He has said the experience affected his ability to work and changed his plans for the future.
The memoir also examines the strain the illness placed on his marriage to Vergara.
Manganiello offers his own account of disagreements about family planning, emotional support and the difficulties of maintaining their relationship during his medical treatment.
Vergara previously said differences over having children contributed to their separation. Manganiello disputes that explanation as a complete description of why their marriage ended.
The former couple’s differing accounts should not be treated as independently established explanations of their private relationship.
In a separate interview published around the book’s release, Manganiello also credited Vergara with making a decision during emergency medical treatment that he believes saved his life.
His discussion of their marriage therefore includes both painful disagreements and recognition of her role during a serious health emergency.
Manganiello’s acting credits include True Blood, Magic Mike and Justice League. His memoir also explores his family history and efforts to recover after years of illness.
Casting Allegation Remains Unverified
The renewed attention surrounding Manganiello’s Reacher audition comes six years after Amazon selected Ritchson for the role.
Manganiello has publicly described what he considers a disappointing and confusing casting experience. His account raises questions about internal decision-making and the communication between actors, producers and studio executives.
However, the available evidence supports only a limited finding: Manganiello pursued the role, says he received encouraging feedback and later learned that another actor had been selected.
His representatives’ theory about Cruise remains unsubstantiated.
No verified document, public statement or firsthand account has established that Cruise intervened because of Vergara or played a direct role in Manganiello’s rejection.
With Bloodlines now available, Manganiello’s version of the casting process has become public. Whether anyone involved in the original decision will provide a different account remains an open question.
IMAGE: Actor Joe Maganiello. Photo: Joe_Manganiello_5.jpg: Srakirei
derivative work: RanZag / Wikimedia, taken 2012-06-04, CC BY-SA 2.0