Alan Ritchson Joins ‘War Machine’ Director’s New Navy SEAL Movie!!

Fresh off his Venice bow with Motor City, Alan Ritchson is making it clear that his action-star run isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The Reacher star has signed on to headline (as per Deadline) Patrick Hughes’ untitled Navy SEAL thriller at Amazon MGM Studios, which dramatizes the astonishing true story of Medal of Honor recipient Mike Thornton. The project falls under Ritchson’s three-picture acting deal with the studio, and they’re cashing in quick because the big guy is hot stuff right now.

While Hollywood has told plenty of military action stories, this one sets itself apart by focusing on an almost unbelievable act of real-world valor. The film follows Navy SEAL Mike Thornton in the waning days of the Vietnam War, when he led a daring last stand after his five-man team was trapped behind enemy lines in North Vietnam. Outnumbered by 150 soldiers, Thornton and his comrades fought through relentless enemy fire before retreating into the South China Sea. With both a gravely wounded lieutenant and another soldier strapped to him, Thornton swam for hours through hostile waters until they reached safety—an act that earned him the Congressional Medal of Honor.

What Has Alan Ritchson Worked on Lately?

This marks the second collaboration between Ritchson and Hughes, who recently wrapped Netflix’s sci-fi adventure War Machine. Hughes brings his trademark muscular action sensibilities, honed on The Hitman’s Bodyguard and Expendables 3, while Ritchson steps into a role that demands both physical intensity and a reverence for Thornton’s heroism.

The film also boasts heavyweight producers, including Sylvester Stallone and Balboa Productions, Todd Lieberman and Alex Young for Hidden Pictures, Ritchson’s AllyCat Entertainment, and Alan Rautbort. The screenplay is penned by Mark Semos, Ritchson, and Jason Hall (American Sniper, Thank You For Your Service).

This new project adds to Ritchson’s blistering schedule. He’s currently filming Season 4 of Reacher—a global juggernaut for Prime Video, with its third season drawing 54.6 million viewers in less than three weeks. On the film side, he has Motor City opposite Shailene Woodley and Ben Foster, The Runner with Owen Wilson, the Kevin James buddy comedy Playdate, and the holiday adventure The Man With The Bag opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’s also locked in for Universal’s 11th Fast & Furious movie. So yeah, he’s a busy guy, and he’s about to get busiier. But with a rep as one of Hollywood’s good guys, long may that continue.