“Jack Reacher” is a 2012 American action thriller directed and written by Christopher McQuarrie, based on Lee Child’s 2005 novel “One Shot.” Tom Cruise stars as the title character, Jack Reacher, a former U.S. Army Military Police investigator who is usually out of contact. He is brought in to help with a murder investigation involving a skilled military sniper suspected of a mass shooting. The film also features Rosamund Pike, Werner Herzog, Robert Duvall, David Oyelowo, Richard Jenkins, and Jai Courtney in supporting roles.
A sequel to “Jack Reacher,” titled “Jack Reacher: Never Go Back,” was developed with Tom Cruise and released on October 21, 2016. The film is based on Lee Child’s 2013 novel of the same name.
Where was “Jack Reacher” Filmed?
Filming for “Jack Reacher” started in October 2011 and finished by January 2012, with all filming done in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tom Cruise took on all of his own driving stunts in the film’s key car chase scenes, aiming to showcase that he was driving in every stunt sequence, rather than using a stunt double.
However, there was a legal dispute involving Kevin Messick, one of the film’s executive producers, who sued two other producers, Don Granger and Gary Levinsohn, in February 2012. Messick claimed breach of contract over their joint venture agreement, alleging that he had been excluded from meetings and not given drafts of the screenplay while the film was in development. He sought unspecified damages, his producer’s fees, and the right to participate in any future sequels. Here is a detailed look at the filming locations used in the movie.
Pittsburgh’s Riverfront: The movie opens with a sniper firing from the Stanwix Tower Apartments, located at 625 Stanwix Street. This building is seen across the Allegheny River, where the sniper targets victims along the Riverfront Walk near Mazeroski Way and underneath PNC Park, which is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team.
Mario’s South Side Saloon: In the film, Jack Reacher visits a bar called Mario’s South Side Saloon, which is located at 1510-1514 East Carson Street. This bar scene, where Reacher gets into a fight, was actually filmed in Pittsburgh. However, the exterior of the bar was not used in the film. The actual fight scenes were shot at 1900 Smallman Street, near 20th Street in the Strip District.
South Side Slopes: Reacher tracks down one of the bar brawlers to a house on South Side Slopes. This house, located at 1016 Fritz Street, was given a false front for the movie. It has impressive views of the city and looks different from how it appears on screen.
Three Rivers Motel: The Sewickley Country Inn, located at 801 Ohio River Boulevard in Sewickley, was used as the “Three Rivers Motel” in the film. This motel is where Jack Reacher stays and discusses the case with his lawyer. Sewickley is situated about 12 miles northwest of Pittsburgh.
10th Street Bridge and Armstrong Tunnel: In a dramatic scene, Reacher flees from a murder scene at the motel and drives across the 10th Street Bridge, which spans the Monongahela River. He then drives through the Armstrong Tunnel and emerges on South 10th Street at Forbes Avenue.
Pizza Parma and Rachel Carson Bridge: Reacher navigates Pittsburgh’s one-way streets and leaves his car on 9th Street, south of the Rachel Carson Bridge. He then blends into a bus queue outside Pizza Parma, located at 9th Street and Penn Avenue.
Hoover Stone Quarry: The final confrontation in the film takes place at the Hoover Stone Quarry, located at 150 Moween Road in Saltsburg, about 30 miles east of Pittsburgh. Here, Reacher and gun-range owner Cash, played by Robert Duvall, face off against the antagonist The Zec, played by Werner Herzog.
Jack Reacher utilized various locations around Pittsburgh to create a gritty and realistic setting for the film. From iconic city landmarks to quiet suburban spots, the filming locations played a crucial role in bringing the story to life.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Jack Reacher
Q: Where was Jack Reacher (2012) filmed?
A: Jack Reacher (2012) was filmed entirely in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The film used various locations around the city, including the Stanwix Tower Apartments, the Riverfront Walk beneath PNC Park, Mario’s South Side Saloon, and the Hoover Stone Quarry in Saltsburg. The movie’s action scenes and settings were captured across these diverse locales to create a dynamic backdrop for the story.
Q: When did filming for Jack Reacher (2012) begin and end?
A; Filming for Jack Reacher (2012) began in October 2011 and was completed in January 2012. The production team utilized these months to capture all the necessary scenes across Pittsburgh, ensuring that the film’s urban and scenic elements were well-represented.
Q: What is the release date of Jack Reacher (2012)?
A: Jack Reacher (2012) was released in the United States on December 21, 2012. The film’s release date was strategically chosen to align with the holiday season, making it a prominent feature in theaters during that period.
Q: Where were the key action scenes filmed in Jack Reacher (2012)?
A; Key action scenes in Jack Reacher (2012) were filmed at several notable locations in Pittsburgh. For example, the sniper’s shooting scenes were filmed from the Stanwix Tower Apartments, and dramatic car chases took place on the 10th Street Bridge and through the Armstrong Tunnel. The Hoover Stone Quarry in Saltsburg was used for the film’s climactic confrontation.
Q: Was Jack Reacher (2012) filmed in any other cities besides Pittsburgh?
A: No, Jack Reacher (2012) was filmed exclusively in Pittsburgh. The filmmakers chose Pittsburgh for its diverse urban landscape and distinctive locations, which were essential in creating the film’s intense and immersive atmosphere.
