‘Reacher’ star Alan Ritchson reveals how he transformed into the classic action hero

To embody action hero Jack Reacher in a new series, actor Alan Ritchson wanted to do things by the book.

Aiming for a “Reacher” portrayal true to the popular novels that introduced the hulking character more than two decades ago, Ritchson bulked up by 30 pounds and went through intense combat training.

“I’ll say about the fights, I’ve done a lot of those in my career,” Ritchson told the Daily News. “I’ve played superheroes and a Ninja Turtle and a UFC fighter. I’ve run the gamut and I’ve done a lot of that, but seeing the ‘Reacher’ fights, it was the first time that I’ve ever said to a stunt coordinator, ‘I’m not sure I can do that. Where do we begin?’”