Courtesy of Paramount Pictures

While Prime Video’s “Reacher” is a television hit, the action franchise was first adapted in 2012 as “Jack Reacher,” a film starring Tom Cruise as the titular drifter and ex-Military Police investigator. That movie’s sequel, 2016’s “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” underperformed at the box office and effectively killed the film franchise.

“Never Go Back” director and co-writer Edward Zwick discussed the film in his new memoir, “Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood.” He said he tried to do something different with the script and audiences weren’t ready to get on board — and he also mentioned a frequent fan complaint about Cruise.

“‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,’ which Tom Cruise and I made in 2016, fizzled at the box office,” he wrote. “I blame myself (and my willing accomplice, Don Granger) for thinking the audience might enjoy a mash-up of ‘Jack Reacher’ and ‘Paper Moon,’ when in fact they just wanted more red meat. I had a wonderful time working with Cobie Smulders, and I certainly don’t blame Tom for not being six two — as the novelist Lee Child described his protagonist — and should Tom happen to call about making a third movie together, I’ll definitely pick up.”

Zwick and Cruise had previously collaborated on the 2003 film “The Last Samurai.”

In the “Reacher” series, the titular character is played by Alan Ritchson, whose ultra-muscular 6’5″ frame is more consistent with the character in Lee Child’s beloved book series.

“Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood” is now available to purchase.