Alan Ritchson, known for his role in Reacher, has faced backlash for his outspoken political commentary. According to reports, studios have warned him against public political discussions. At a recent Fan Expo Canada panel, Ritchson mentioned the pressure he’s received, joking about the calls urging him to be less vocal.
‘You know how many phone calls I get from studios like, ‘Would you shut the f— up, please? Stop talking in public,’ Ritchson stated, hinting at a desire for a more orderly discourse without delving into details.
During the event, he indicated frustration with the political landscape, mentioning that his comments led to audience applause. He also revealed an incident involving Amazon Prime Video, which allegedly scrapped a storyline with White supremacists from Reacher. Ritchson suggested this decision was politically motivated, tied to President Donald Trump’s return to power.
Commenting on a fan’s disappointment over the decision, Ritchson explained his efforts to adapt the storyline were thwarted, hinting at political interference after Trump’s reelection.
In an earlier interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April 2024, Ritchson criticized conservative Christians for supporting Trump. He labeled Trump as a ‘rapist and a con man’, questioning the church’s alignment with him.
He further claimed experiencing violence in reaction to his views, advocating for generosity as a Christian principle. ‘If you want to see violence flee the world, be more generous to everybody! That is the Christian ethic!’ Ritchson asserted.
Christian Toto from Hollywood in Toto commented on Ritchson’s actions, suggesting he might be harming his own career. He highlighted the impact of Ritchson’s ‘hysterical blather’ on his audience.
Toto questioned the actor’s disregard for studio advice on avoiding political outbursts, pondering if other studios issue similar advice to their stars. He remarked on Ritchson’s apparent lack of awareness regarding the impermanence of his fame and audience perception.
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