Jackman perfect for role as Jack Reacher

Hugh Jackman

British author Lee Child believes actor Hugh Jackman, while a bit too handsome, has the perfect features to play the lead role in a film based on his fictional character Jack Reacher.

Child, Downunder to promote his latest Jack Reacher novel, One Shot, has written nine books based on the ex-military detective, with plans under way to elevate the character to the big screen.

"There is a lot of interest in making the movie and a lot of commitment," Child said in Sydney this week. In Auckland last week, where he spoke at a New Zealand Herald-Dymocks book function, he joked that Brad Pitt and Keanu Reeves had also been mentioned, but he did not think they were gritty enough for the popular character, novels about whom have sold millions around the world.