The Two DC Superheroes You Likely Forgot Reacher Star Alan Ritchson Played

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Alan Ritchson, most recognized for his role as Jack Reacher in the Prime Video series “Reacher”, has had an intriguing career that spans from an unmissable audition on “American Idol” to roles in blockbuster films such as “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” and the upcoming “Fast X”. However, before he became a renowned action star, Ritchson portrayed a superhero. Interestingly enough, he played not just one but two superheroes; initially, he appeared as Aquaman on the popular Superman prequel series “Smallville”.

In the fifth season of this series, I joined the cast as Arthur “A.C.” Curry, a student at University of Miami who teamed up with Clark Kent (Tom Welling) to protect the planet from LuthorCorp in the episode titled “Aqua.” I made a comeback to Smallville thrice; initially in the spectacular sixth-season episode “Justice” where we saw various Justice League members unite, then in Season 8’s “Odyssey,” and finally in Season 10’s “Patriot.” Being the first actor to portray Aquaman in a live-action role, I paved the way for future adaptations of this iconic hero and silenced every fish joke about A.C. once and for all.

Apart from Aquaman, Ritchson has also portrayed another DC hero – Hank Hall, popularly known as Hawk. In 2018, he reentered the superhero realm for the DC Universe/HBO Max series “Titans.” During his three-season stint, Hawk teamed up with his partner Dove (Minka Kelly) alongside the Titans, facing new perils together. Tragically, his character was written off in the third season. However, there’s a silver lining: in an unexpected turn of events, Hawk is seen assisting lost spirits after death, having been reunited with the original Dove (his deceased half-brother Don, played by Elliot Knight).

Alan Ritchson nearly continued playing Aquaman

Did you know Alan Ritchson almost played Aquaman on TV? After the popular “Aqua” episode of Smallville, creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar had plans for an Aquaman series on The WB. This was right around the time when The WB and UPN merged to form The CW, so things were uncertain. Ritchson, who played A.C. on Smallville, shared on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast that he was initially slated to reprise his role, but it didn’t work out. Instead, Gough and Millar chose not to make Aquaman as a spin-off of Smallville, but as something completely new and independent.

Initially, Will Toale was chosen for the main character part, but Gough and Millar eventually selected Justin Hartley instead for the new Arthur. Despite an impressive pilot, “Aquaman” unfortunately didn’t succeed, but Gough and Millar then chose Hartley to play Oliver Queen/Green Arrow during the sixth season of “Smallville,” a role he continued through the series finale. Interestingly enough, this meant that Ritchson’s subsequent three appearances as A.C. on the show were alongside Hartley, the actor who took over his Aquaman role.

In the 2008 animated film titled “Justice League: The New Frontier,” Ritchson didn’t just portray the King of Atlantis for the first time. Rather, he revisited his role as Aquaman, albeit in an unaccredited voice cameo. In this instance, he brought the Atlantean king back to the surface, helping Superman (played by Kyle MacLachlan), and did so with a regal elocution that was more befitting of a monarch than his portrayal on “Smallville.

Alan Ritchson wants to return to the DC Universe

Alan Ritchson, who’s played both Aquaman and Hawk, hasn’t finished with the DC Universe just yet. Fans and admirers of DC and “Reacher” have long suggested Ritchson for various superhero roles, and the actor appears eager to revisit the world of superhuman strength and vibrant costumes. Back in 2016, when asked if he might portray Shazam (formerly Captain Marvel) in the DC Extended Universe, Ritchson playfully confirmed the question via a social media post. (However, it was Zachary Levi who eventually took on that role.)

In the recent past, whispers persist about Joe Ritchson potentially portraying Batman in James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe – and he appears eager for the role. During an interview with ComicBook.com in 2024, he admitted, “I’d be thrilled to play Batman, but I’m not him yet.” In a subsequent conversation with Wired in 2025, Ritchson was again questioned about his possible casting as Batman. He responded, “If given the chance, I would take on the role of Batman – no pay necessary.” However, it’s worth noting that Gunn has publicly declared that Ritchson will not don the cape and cowl in his universe.

It’s evident that Ritchson has a fondness for DC comics, so whether he reappears in the upcoming live-action series or lands a part in a lesser-known animated project, it would be fortunate to benefit from his passion for the content.

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2025-07-07 13:30