Mark Wahlberg's 'Reacher' Replacement Becomes a Must-Watch on Paramount+

Mark Wahlberg has had a busy year with multiple new releases, but the enduring popularity of one of his older films suggests some viewers prefer his earlier work to his recent output. Earlier this year, Wahlberg teamed up with Paul Walter-Hauser (The Fantastic Four: First Steps) for Balls Up, the action comedy that launched on Prime Video in April. The film spent weeks atop streaming charts before dropping out of the top 10, despite a mostly mediocre reception from critics and audiences. Last month, Wahlberg returned to the big screen opposite Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Wonder Man) in By Any Means, a new crime thriller that earned only $16 million at the box office despite a wide release from Paramount. The film is now playing only in select limited theaters.

Mark Wahlberg has starred in dozens of iconic action movies over the years, and while fans could debate his most famous roles for hours, one that would certainly get votes is Bob Lee Swagger. It has been almost 20 years since Wahlberg played Bob Lee Swagger in Shooter, the 2007 action thriller that grossed only $95 million at the box office against a $61 million budget. The film was not a smash hit in theaters, but over the years it has built a cult following on various streaming platforms. Shooter is currently available to watch with a Paramount Plus subscription, and it is also streaming for free on the underrated platform Pluto TV. Neither platform has announced a date for it to leave streaming, so it is a safe bet that it will remain available for a while.

What Is 'Shooter' About?

In addition to Mark Wahlberg, Shooter stars Michael Peña, Rhona Mitra and Danny Glover. The film is based on Stephen Hunter's novel Point of Impact, with a script by Jonathan Lemkin and Antoine Fuqua directing. Fuqua has worked with Denzel Washington several times over the years on his many action and crime thriller classics. The official synopsis for Shooter, described as a perfect mash-up of Reacher and John Wick, reads as follows:

“A top Marine sniper, Bob Lee Swagger, leaves the military after a mission goes awry and disappears without a trace. Swagger is coaxed back into service after high-profile government officials convince him to help thwart a plot against the President of the United States. Swagger realizes he has been betrayed and becomes the target of a nationwide manhunt. Instead of hiding, he seeks revenge against some of the most powerful and corrupt leaders in the free world.”