"Jack Reacher" trailer: Tom Cruise is ready to fight

Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher in "Jack Reacher."

/ Paramount Pictures

(CBS News) The first trailer for Tom Cruise's film "Jack Reacher" debuted Tuesday, on the actor's 50th birthday.

Cruise plays the title character in the film, based on the character from Lee Child's crime novels.

Pictures: Tom Cruise
Pictures: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

The film, directed by Christopher McQuarrie ("The Usual Suspects"), follows Reacher as he investigates a case in which five people were fatally shot.

Some have questioned casting Cruise as Reacher, a blondish,  6-foot-5, 250-pound ex-military policeman turned drifter-vigilante.

The trailer doesn't feature a lot of Cruise, but he's heard speaking in voice-over during the clip. When he is shown, he's ready to fight - and gives a group of guys a serious beatdown.

This, of course, isn't the only reason the actor has been in the news - the trailer comes days after Cruise's wife, Katie Holmes, filed for divorce.

The film is scheduled to open in theaters on Dec. 21.

Tell us: What do you think of the "Jack Reacher" trailer?

[Sevenislands]

After reading all the other comments, I feel compelled to add, I personally will not see the movie with Tom (pee wee) Cruise. I refuse to let Lee Child and the producer of this movie ruin my image of the "Big" Jack Reacher. You see this movie and you will be scarred for life.

[Sevenislands]

I am sooooooo disappointed that Lee Child has given Tom Cruise his approval. As an avid Jack Reacher fan, his size in the book is not just a metaphor for me. It is important to the embodiment of the Jack Reacher character. When I first started to read this series it is his sheer size that made his character come alive for me. Tom Cruise is a midget compared to what Jack Reacher is. He is too well known, when I see him I think Mission Impossible, this new Reacher movie will just come off as another segment of the Mission Impossible series. I am not going to watch it as I don't need Cruise to tarnish my image of the real Jack Reacher.Lee Child, I am sorely disappointed in you, you have sold out for the $$$$$$.

[squirmebk]

I agree with everyone. Tom "the pixie" Cruise as Jack Reacher? I too will not Vincent D'Onofrio of Law and Order - Criminal Intent. Guy is 6'4" and has the imposing stature that Jack Reacher is supposed to have. Not unknown but not a big name. He could have made the part his own and run with it.

[squirmebk]

Just adding what some how got left out. I will not be seeing this movie. Better to have chosen someone like....(see above for the rest.)

[gaultjohn83]

David Spade as Dirty harry or Ben Stiller as the Terminator is as believable. Love the books as a thriller but will watch this as a comedy. Maybe they will turn it into Jack Reacher the musical.

[kcpmt]

obviously, the director/producer casting director has NEVER read a Reacher novel. Tom Cruise is NO Jack Reacher, this is ridiculous, I won't be seeing the movie.

[Sherie0317]

Tom Cruise is an actor. You cannot determine if Tom Cruise is Jack Reacher if you do not see the movie. Actors get paid to play roles (act). It may be difficult to picture Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher. It is for me too but for those who say don't see the movie I say you will never know.

[bbrown2012]

Really? Tom Cruise? What is Lee Child thinking? Tom Cruise IS NOT Jack Reacher.What a joke..Please stop the movie and cast a real actor who can seriously play this character in the way the books are written. My advice, DO NOT SEE THE MOVIE.

[drdon1996]

Picking Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is like picking Pee Wee Herman as James Bond. Not only is this an insult to the fans of Lee Child, it's a disgrace to the intelligence of his readers. Anyone who has read any of Child's novels knows what Jack Reacher should look like on screen, too bad Clint Eastwood is too old.

[gaultjohn83]

LOL Pee Wee as James Bond is as believable. How about Verne Troyer as Darth Vader?

[sedean1]

Really? Fer sure? As a Lee Child's fan I feel so disappointed. And given the popularity of the Jack Reacher books, I won't be the only one. Now Cruise can do some stuff, but not as Reacher, as can clearly be seen in the trailer. All for the money and nothing for the art of it, too bad!

[tmonta67]

As a fan of the Reacher books, Tom Cruise couldn't be further from the image portrayed in the books. He's got the voice of a 15 year-old and the physique to match.

Next he'll be cast as James Bond.

What a disappointment. Shame on Lee Childs for accepting this. Cruise will never be Jack Reacher.

[WisCT]

I can't believe they chose a short guy with a little-boy voice to play Reacher. Why not the guy that plays Alcide in the True Blood series? He's closer to the Jack Reacher of the books. Is Lee Child a Scientologist or something?