If you thought Alan Ritchson was a big dude, think again, as the villain of Reacher Season 3 will be played by Olivier Richters, aka “The Dutch Giant.”
Richters is set to play the fan-favorite villain from the books, Paul “Paulie” Masserella, who appears in Lee Child’s “Persuader” novel. Paulie is a “deranged bodybuilder bodyguard” for Zachary Beck in the book, who is played by Anthony Michael Hall in Reacher Season 3.
The book describes Paulie as:
He was a very big guy. I stand six feet five inches tall and I have to center myself quite carefully to walk through a standard thirty-inch doorway. This guy was at least six inches taller than me and probably ten inches wider across the shoulders. He probably outweighed me by two hundred pounds. Maybe by more.
7’2″ weighing 350 lbs.
True to the book, Olivier Richters is one massive dude coming in at 7’2″ weighing 350 lbs. (from parts unknown?! no, he’s from Netherlands).
Alan Ritchson is around 6’3″ and 240 pounds, so The Dutch Giant, the world’s tallest pro bodybuilder, is basically a foot taller and a hundred pounds heavier.
Anthony Michael Hall filled in CinemaBlend about working with the actor:
He reminds me of , do you remember when we were kids? The Spy Who Loved Me, the Jaws character that Richard Kiel played? He was a literal giant, like seven foot two. … That character (Paulie) does live in the show, and they have an epic battle. I don’t want to give it away, but yeah, they definitely meet as they do in the book. … You know, Reacher and Paulie colliding – there’s something Marvel about that, right? They’re like two superhero-sized guys, so it’s kind of cool.
Check out pics below where Olivier Richters towers over Kevin Hart, Harrison Ford, Matt Smith, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
The Dutch Giant played Ursa Major in Marvel’s Black Widow and is known for roles in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, The King’s Man, Borderlands and more.
What is Reacher Season 3 about?
Set in Maine’s coastal region, the story follows Reacher (Alan Ritchson) as he goes undercover in the castle-like lair of the enigmatic Zachary Beck (Anthony Michael Hall). Beck, whose son narrowly escapes a kidnapping attempt, lives in constant fear of his employers and depends on bodyguards to protect his family.
The first two seasons of Reacher are available to stream on Prime Video.
