Tom Cruise too SHORT to play Jack Reacher? Author Lee Child says next actor to take on the role will be taller

He's the go-to actor to play the hero in action films.

But Tom Cruise, 56, may have suffered a snub, as Jack Reacher author Lee Child has said if the rebooted franchise goes on to Netflix as a TV series, they would have to cast a taller star to play the lead than 5ft 7in Tom.

Speaking at the International Crime Festival in Harrogate with fellow author John Grisham, Lee discussed what another actor taking the role would be like.

'Hopefully, with a bit of luck, we will go to television and make a Netflix, or something like that. That will have one sad, awkward consequence in that Tom Cruise doesn't act on television so we will have to have a new lead actor.' 

Bestselling author John asked: 'I bet the new Jack Reacher will be a bit taller?' reports The Sunday Express.

Lee answered: 'You're damn right about that. I don't know who it will be, but he will be pretty big.

'I don't know how popular the series will be but hopefully it will be long-running. Television is now the thing to do.'

Tom certainly gives his all to his parts, having recently revealed his ankle still hasn't fully healed from the horrific accident he suffered on the set of Mission Impossible: Fallout.

Speaking with Alison Hammond on This Morning, the screen star admitted that his ankle is still broken following the stunt 11 months ago, but insisted he's gone through 'great rehab' as he's on the road to recovery.

During his interview in Paris, France, TV presenter Alison, 43, kicked off their discussion by inviting the star to talk about his stunts.

Tom - who sustained the injury after smashing into the side of a building - shared: 'Mission: Impossible – Fallout is jam-packed with action... I've been doing this my whole life, climbing on trees, breaking bones.'

'I broke an ankle, so they were concerned with running the film. Even though it's still broken, I went through great rehab.'

The Magnolia actor proved to be fully dedicated to the role, as he admitted: 'I actually flew the helicopter. Its very dangerous!'

Overwhelmed with shock, Alison asked: 'Do you think you could ever lose your life?'

The award-winning star bluntly confessed: 'Yes, but I train really hard so that won't happen. I love flying, I trained for the movie, so I enjoy it.'

Production for the film was halted for two months while Tom recovered from his injuries, though Paramount insisted the movie would still meet it's planned release date this coming summer.

MailOnline has contacted Tom's representatives comment.