Alan Ritchson Pushed Himself to the Limit on ‘War Machine’ (And Needed Oxygen on His Next Film)

If his breakout success on Prime Video’s global smash Reacher proved anything, it’s that Alan Ritchson always rises to the challenge. (Case in point: On the last season, he faced off with and ultimately defeated a towering foe in the form of Olivier Richters, a 7’2’’, 350-lb. brute who played security guard Paul Masserella aka Paulie.)

But his newest project, Netflix’s War Machine from filmmaker Patrick Hughes, demanded new feats of physicality that nearly broke him. “It was hard. I’m not going to lie, this was the most I’ve ever been pushed physically, and it was the most I’ve ever doubted my own ability to finish,” Ritchson revealed to The Hollywood Reporter. Spoiler alert: He finished and the results are currently on streaming, so it’s easy to find evidence to back up his bold statement.

War Machine, not to be confused with the Brad Pitt…