Alan Ritchson Takes Lead in Vietnam War Epic Backed by Stallone

Alan Ritchson, who punters might recognise from the Prime Video hit Reacher, is gearing up for a starring role in a fresh Vietnam War action flick, with none other than Sylvester Stallone on board as producer. The project, still without an official title, is being put together by Amazon MGM Studios and will soon start shooting in Queensland. Ritchson steps into the boots of Mike Thornton, a Navy SEAL decorated for his heroics during the Vietnam conflict, where he pulled off a daring rescue of a wounded mate under heavy fire.

Directing the action is Aussie filmmaker Patrick Hughes, known for Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. The cast also features Joe Cole, who’s popped up in Subversion and A Prayer Before Dawn, alongside Hoa Xuande, familiar to some from The Sympathizer and Avatar: The Last Airbender. The film’s logline sums it up as

the incredible real-life struggle for survival in the hostile waters of the South China Sea that earned Mike Thornton a Congressional Medal of Honor.

True Grit and Real-Life Heroics

This war drama brings together all the classic elements: soldiers stranded behind enemy lines, a desperate last stand, and the kind of mateship that’s the stuff of legend. Ritchson’s star continues to rise, especially after his turn as Jack Reacher, and this new role looks set to cement his reputation for tough, no-nonsense characters. The story leans into the raw, unvarnished reality of combat, focusing on the courage and quick thinking that saw Thornton and his team through a nightmare scenario.

Filming in Queensland is sure to give the production a unique flavour, with local crews and landscapes standing in for the jungles and waters of Vietnam. The choice of location is a win for the Aussie film industry, bringing in international talent and putting the spotlight on homegrown expertise.

Ritchson’s Busy Slate and Future Projects

It’s a busy time for Ritchson, who’s not just stopping at this war epic. He’s teaming up again with Patrick Hughes for a sci-fi actioner called War Machine, set to land on Netflix in March 2026. That one’s got a stacked cast, including Dennis Quaid and Jai Courtney, and promises a different kind of adrenaline rush. On top of that, Ritchson is set to return as Jack Reacher for a fourth season, plus a spin-off centred on Frances Neagley, both expected to drop in 2026.

He’s also lined up to lead Motor City, a gritty action thriller set in the 1970s, directed by Potsy Ponciroli. This time, he’ll play a bloke out for payback after being stitched up for a crime he didn’t commit. With so many irons in the fire, Ritchson’s quickly becoming one of the most in-demand action stars around.