Alan Ritchson Returns to His Roots in Groove Tails Film

Alan Ritchson is trading Reacher's hard edges for a pair of dancing shoes. Short sentence. Big shift.

Imprint Entertainment has confirmed what fans had started to whisper: Ritchson is among the voice cast of Groove Tails, a music-driven animated feature set in the heart of New York. The project brings together an eclectic ensemble—Ansel Elgort, Halle Bailey, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, J. B. Smoove and Agnez Mo—under the direction of Bob Logan, who previously helped shape The Lego Ninjago Movie.

Think of Groove Tails as a love letter to rhythm and individuality. The central character is a young, fiercely determined mouse with dreams of becoming a world-famous dancer. When his father refuses to back those dreams, the mouse abandons his plastic fortress, Critter Castle, and joins a ragtag crew on a journey to find their own grooves. Along the way they must learn to move as one and, ultimately, save the only place any of them have ever called home.

The tone is family-first but slyly grown-up. It’s an animation that aims to be enjoyed by kids and adults together. Bob Logan calls the film a celebration of perseverance and the universal language of music—ambitious, sure, but also the sort of story that can land emotional punches through a catchy chorus and a great dance sequence.

Production timelines are modestly optimistic. Animation work is expected to be finished in the fourth quarter of 2026, which pushes a likely theatrical bow into 2027. No exact release date has been announced yet, but the timing suggests studios are aiming for a broad family window next year.

For Ritchson, Groove Tails is a little more than a new credit. It taps into an earlier chapter of his life. Longtime followers know he’s not just the actor who made Jack Reacher famous on Prime Video; he once explored music professionally, releasing a full album, This Is Next Time, in 2005. That musical streak never turned into a chart-topping career, but it’s now resurfacing in fresh, unexpected ways.

Meanwhile, Ritchson’s star on screen keeps rising. He recently appeared in the Netflix sci-fi action War Machine (2026) and has another feature, Motor City, due in cinemas next month. Voice work on Groove Tails could be the perfect place for him to blend his acting chops with those dormant musical instincts.

Curious to hear what Ritchson sounds like as part of an animated musical? Keep an ear out—Groove Tails might be the surprising, foot-tapping detour that reveals a new side to a very public career.