Reacher Showrunner Shares the Surprising Story Behind That Terminator 2 Reference

Reacher’s showrunner has explained the story behind Season 2’s not-so-subtle nod to Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Reacher Season 2’s reference to Terminator 2: Judgment Day had nothing to do with the casting of Robert Patrick.

In the second season of the hit Prime Video series, Patrick, who played the T-1000 in Terminator 2, played the role of Shane Langston, a foe to Alan Ritchson’s Jack Reacher.

The Season 2 premiere included a cheeky reference to Terminator 2 when Frances Neagley used the alias Sarah Conner, a nod to Linda Hamilton’s Terminator franchise character.

When he’s asked by a henchman, “Who’s Sarah Connor?,” Patrick’s Langston replied, “I don’t give a sh*t.” It’s a stark contrast to the character he played in Terminator 2, where killing Sarah’s son was the T-1000’s sole objective.

Per TVLine, showrunner Nick Santora revealed that the Terminator 2 reference was not written in to the show because of Robert Patrick’s casting.

Santora wanted to make it clear, noting how “everyone thinks we’re so smart and funny for doing it,” but that the Sarah Connor line was “in there before Robert Patrick came in. I don’t want to lie; that’s the truth.”

Santora explained how the line was even in the script with another actor set to play the role. Originally, Langston was going to be played by Rory Cochrane, but Robert Patrick took over the role after Cochrane dropped out.

Santora further explained how it was a total coincidence that Patrick just happened to then land the role that played into the reference to Terminator 2.

“He’s such a hard worker and he’s so freaking talented, and I don’t know why but he just jumped in,” Santora said, commenting on how Patrick very quickly boarded Season 2 of Reacher despite the short notice.

Santora then shared how he “actually kind of forgot about the Sarah Connor line” but “then when I was getting the dailies I was like, ‘Oh, man.’”

The Terminator 2 Line Was Nearly Cut

Not only was the line a coincidence, Patrick’s casting had Santora considering having it cut, as the connection to Terminator 2 was perhaps a bit too obvious. However, he ultimately opted to keep the line, figuring that fans might appreciate the fun nod, which turned out to be the case.

“I really did have a thought, if I’m being a 100-percent truthful, ‘Do I need to cut this line?’ Because it’s a phone call, so I could have easily put something else in [Saropian’s mouth] and just show the other side of the call.

But I figured that fans might enjoy it. It’s such an iconic movie franchise and Robert Patrick is such an iconic actor, so let’s have a little fun!”

The first two seasons of Reacher are streaming on Prime Video. Season 3 does not yet have a premiere date.