First Look: Alan Ritchson in ‘Motor City’ — Even More Jacked Than in ‘Reacher’

Alan Ritchson is back on the big screen, and he’s looking more ripped than ever. The Reacher star is leading the upcoming action thriller Motor City, directed by Potsy Ponciroli and written by Chad St. John. The movie is set to have its world premiere in the Venice Spotlight section at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival.

The story follows John Miller, a Detroit auto worker whose life falls apart after he is wrongly accused of a crime and sent to prison. After years behind bars, he gets out with one goal, to hunt down the people who set him up. Ritchson takes on the role of Miller, bringing a bigger, more imposing look than fans have seen from him before.

Motor City has had a long road to production. Chad St. John’s script first made waves back in 2009 when it appeared on the Black List, a collection of Hollywood’s most-liked unproduced screenplays. In 2011, Warner Bros. had plans for the movie, with Albert Hughes attached to direct and Chris Evans offered the lead role. That version never happened, and the project sat in development for years.

In May 2023, Deadline reported that Ritchson had joined the project, with Timur Bekmambetov set to direct. But by May 2024, there was another change. Potsy Ponciroli took over directing duties, and Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, and Pablo Schreiber joined the cast.

Filming kicked off in July 2024, with scenes shot in New Jersey and al-Ula. NJ.com confirmed in August that production was still underway in New Jersey. Ben Foster later revealed an unusual detail about the film, telling Collider that it “has only five lines of dialogue.” This suggests Motor City may rely heavily on visuals, atmosphere, and physical performances instead of traditional conversations.

The first official still from the movie shows Ritchson looking bulked up and intense, a clear sign this will be a physically demanding role. The image hints at a gritty revenge story, fitting for a movie that seems to draw on classic crime-thriller energy.

Audiences will get their first real look at Motor City when it premieres in Venice. With its nearly silent script, high-intensity premise, and Ritchson in his most physically imposing role yet, the film is shaping up to be one of the more unique action offerings of 2025.

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