REACHER Star Alan Ritchson Set For Adaptation of Nicholas Sparks‘ COUNTING MIRACLES
Reacher star Alan Ritchson is set to lead the cast of the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks‘ new bestseller novel Counting Miracles, which is set up at Amazon MGM Studios.
In the story, “former Ranger (Ritchson) returns to his small hometown with one mission: to find the father he never knew. While there he crosses paths with a doctor who is balancing her own life as a single mother of two and a reclusive old man with a mysterious past, leading to unexpected connections and a journey toward belonging.”
Ritchson talked about joining the project on his Instagram account and how The Notebook was a film that inspired him.
The actor said: “As a way to help me stay the course, my fiancée at the time [Cat Ritchson] (now wife) would take a break from working on her degree at [University of Florida] every few weeks to pay a visit.
“It always did put a lot of wind in my sails. She believed in me way before I did. During one of her stays, she wanted to watch The Notebook. So we made a night of renting the DVD and grabbing some snacks. A night in for a chick flick. I thought I was doing her a favor. Brownie points galore.
“Long story short, she fell asleep way before the end. I did not. I was crying so hard, for so long, at that perfect depiction of long, troubled, but unwavering love that even the DVD screen saver that bounced around the screen after the end credits to keep images from burning in the TV had finished.
“The yearning I experienced for the first time that night for a Notebook kind of enduring love has been a compass I return to when I get distracted or lose my way (as we all do from time to time). It also cemented for me how truly valuable the medium of TV and Film can be when done right.”
Here’s the full description from the book:
“Tanner Hughes was raised by his grandparents, following in his grandfather’s military footsteps to become an Army Ranger. His whole life has been spent abroad, and he is the proverbial rolling stone… happiest when off on his next adventure, zero desire to settle down.
“But when his grandmother passes away, her last words to him are: find where you belong. She also drops a bombshell, telling him the name of the father he never knew—and where he might be found.
“Tanner is due at his next posting soon, but his curiosity is piqued, and he sets out for Asheboro, North Carolina, to ask around. He’s been in town less than 24 hours when he meets Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mom.
“They both feel an immediate connection; Tanner knows Kaitlyn has a story to tell, and he wants to hear it. For Kaitlyn, Tanner is mysterious, exciting—and possibly leaving in just a few weeks.
“Meanwhile, nearby, 83-year-old Jasper lives alone in a cabin bordering a national forest. With only his old dog Arlo for company, he lives quietly, haunted by a tragic accident that took place decades before.
“When he hears rumors that a white deer has been spotted in the forest—a creature of legend that inspired his father and grandfather—he becomes obsessed with protecting the deer from poachers.
“As these characters’ fates orbit closer together, none of them is expecting a miracle…but that may be exactly what is about to alter their futures forever.”
That sounds like the perfect role for Ritchson to take on and I’m sure he’s going to be great in the film.