Logo

After appearing in five movies via four different actors, the character of CIA analyst-turned-agent Jack Ryan leaps to television Friday for the first time. The new series, “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan,” stars “The Office” alum John Krasinski and begins streaming all eight episodes at once on Amazon.

Ahead of the premiere, the show’s already been renewed for round two. Here, we compare Ryan with his iconic action hero brethren: Bond, Bourne and Ethan Hunt of “Mission: Impossible.”

Jack Ryan

Number of films: 5
US box office (not adjusted for inflation): $497 million
Played by: Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford, Ben Affleck, Chris Pine
Works for: The CIA
Signature move: Realistic Marine Corps skills
Fight style: Everyman
Best attire: Bulletproof vest over a muscle-hugging waffle shirt
Weakness: Inexperience

Pierce Brosnan as martini-swilling James Bond in “Die Another Day”©MGM/Everett CollectionPierce Brosnan as martini-swilling James Bond in “Die Another Day”©MGM/Everett Collection

James Bond

Number of films: 26
US box office (not adjusted for inflation): $2.1 billion
Played by: Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig
Works for: MI6
Signature move: Perfect aim in an opening gun barrel sequence
Fight style: Classy
Best attire: Impeccably tailored tux
Weakness: Martinis

Jason Bourne

Number of films: 5
US box office (not adjusted for inflation): $801 million
Played by: Matt Damon (though Jeremy Renner led the fourth film as Aaron Cross)
Works for: Formerly, the CIA
Signature move: Using random objects (a pen, a book, a toaster) as weapons
Fight style: Gritty
Best attire: Inconspicuous leather jacket and a henley
Weakness: That whole amnesia thing

Ethan Hunt

Number of films: 6
US box office (not adjusted for inflation): $1.1 billion
Played by: Tom Cruise
Works for: IMF (Impossible Mission Force)
Signature move: Overcoming extreme physical tasks in the nick of time
Fight style: Witty
Best attire: Black-on-black-on-black ensemble
Weakness: Valuing one life as much as many

Comments
anonymous profile image
Powered by RoundtableBuilt on infrastructure designed for real-time media. Learn more at RTB.io.© Roundtable 2026. By using this site you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy