SMALLVILLE Alum Alan Ritchson Reveals Whether He'd Be Open To Reprising Aquaman Role In The DCU

SMALLVILLE Alum Alan Ritchson Reveals Whether He'd Be Open To Reprising Aquaman Role In The DCU

Alan Ritchson is no stranger to superheroes after playing Smallville's Aquaman and suiting up as Titans' Hawk, but with Batman off the table, who else would he be down for playing in James Gunn's DCU?

By JoshWilding - Sep 08, 2025 03:09 PM EST
Filed Under: Aquaman

Reacher star Alan Ritchson has long been a fan-favourite choice to play the DCU's Batman. Unfortunately, he disappointed many fans last month when he confirmed that, following a meeting with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, the Dark Knight is not in his future. 

There are plenty of other characters he could play, though, and the actor weighed in on a couple of them at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend.

Ritchson's big break came in Smallville, where he played Aquaman. With Jason Momoa moving on from Arthur Curry to Lobo for next year's Supergirl movie, would his fellow Fast & Furious star be down to return to the seas? Not quite. 

"No, I would never take that from [Jason Momoa]. I have too much respect," Ritchson said. "I would definitely want to explore new horizons, and I have a feeling we may. We’ll see." 

When the interviewer put it to the actor that he'd be a fine choice for the DCU's Wildcat, the Motor City star confirmed he's familiar with the hero, and acknowledged it would be a "fun" role. Judging by his comments here, it seems he and Gunn have already discussed some possibilities for him.

After starring in Smallville, Ritchson dipped his toes back into the DC water for a stint as Titans' Hawk. Prime Video's Reacher has gone a long way in making him a much bigger star, of course, so now feels like the right time for Gunn to find him a character he can really sink his teeth into and make his own. 

As noted, Ritchson recently took himself out of the running for Batman. "Well, it’s not a rumour that James Gunn is a fan. He said it himself. And am I a fan of James Gunn? Absolutely. I don’t want to mislead people. Words have been exchanged about Batman. But I strongly don’t think that Batman is in my future. I do think there is something in my future with DC. And I would like that to remain true."

Looking through some of your suggestions in a recent comments section, Shazam, Green Arrow, and Captain Atom are just a few of the most popular suggestions when it comes to possible roles for Richtson in the DCU. 

As for The Brave and the Bold, Gunn and Peter Safran have still not cast Batman. However, Robert Pattinson's Dark Knight will return in 2027's The Batman Part II, a franchise expected to remain an "Elseworlds" property moving forward.

You can hear more from Richtson in the player below. 

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SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 9/8/2025, 3:23 PM
Isn't this the same actor who said "I will never take on a superhero role" because he feels it isn't definitive enough for his career?
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 9/8/2025, 3:26 PM
@SonOfAGif - indeed he is.
JacobKarr
JacobKarr - 9/8/2025, 3:27 PM
@SonOfAGif - I may be wrong, but I can't imagine he would say anything like that, considering his career and that he does seem like a genuine fan of the genre
TrentCrimm
TrentCrimm - 9/8/2025, 3:30 PM
@JacobKarr -

You're not wrong, he didn't say that.

He just said he doesn't want to do any regurgitated superhero stories, that he'd want to tackle something fresh.
jst5
jst5 - 9/8/2025, 3:45 PM
@SonOfAGif - He said last year that he would love to play something in DC because he grew up a huge DC fan.
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 9/8/2025, 4:37 PM
@SonOfAGif - the guy who's played 2 different live action DC heroes already? I doubt it
captainwalker
captainwalker - 9/8/2025, 6:38 PM
@SonOfAGif - He would have been a better Supes.
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 9/8/2025, 3:24 PM
He should be Shazam but I’d also be down for him as Wildcat.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/8/2025, 3:33 PM
@Ha1frican - Dye his hair black and he's dead ringer for comic Captain Mar, er, Shazam. That said, the actor comes off as a little nuts sometimes. It's probably not his fault. He's said he was sexually abused when he entered Hollywood. Granted, he was in his early twenties and could have simply said "no" and not taken the roles, but still, I'm sure it was traumatic.
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 9/8/2025, 4:37 PM
@Bucky74 - He also has amazing comedic chops if you ever watch him in Blue Mountain State
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/8/2025, 4:42 PM
@Ha1frican - I have to check that out.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/8/2025, 4:44 PM
@Ha1frican - With black hair, he looks exactly like Shazam in JLU
SpideyPuffsMJ
SpideyPuffsMJ - 9/8/2025, 3:27 PM
Would have been a great Eddie Brock
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 9/8/2025, 3:29 PM
That's a damn space marine right there
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ClungeOfSteel
ClungeOfSteel - 9/8/2025, 3:35 PM
@HashTagSwagg - Rob Liefeld proportions
DeaconFrostBite
DeaconFrostBite - 9/8/2025, 3:35 PM
@HashTagSwagg - He looks like a Frank Miller drawing there, lol.
UncleHarm1
UncleHarm1 - 9/8/2025, 4:49 PM
@ClungeOfSteel - Came here to say exactly this lol he should play Captain America
UncleHarm1
UncleHarm1 - 9/8/2025, 4:49 PM
@HashTagSwagg - The interviewer looks like he peed a little
krayzeman
krayzeman - 9/8/2025, 3:30 PM
I can see him as the Dark Knight Returns version with older makeup. His size is built for that version
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 9/8/2025, 3:38 PM
Honestly I think the best role for him would probably be Sgt. Rock.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 9/8/2025, 4:12 PM
@BobGarlen - I really do appreciate you being honest about that.
Astroman
Astroman - 9/8/2025, 6:13 PM
@BobGarlen - oh nice call
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 9/8/2025, 3:39 PM
He should just come back as Hawk for the Titans movie....
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LoudLon
LoudLon - 9/8/2025, 3:48 PM
Blue Devil, please.
ElJefe
ElJefe - 9/8/2025, 5:02 PM
@LoudLon - nice pull!
Robby
Robby - 9/8/2025, 3:54 PM
It’s giving desperation
MisterBones
MisterBones - 9/8/2025, 3:56 PM
[frick] my Hawkman fancast...

That's ORION. Surprised no one has brought him up by now.
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movieguy18
movieguy18 - 9/8/2025, 3:58 PM
I truly think he could play a great Bruce Wayne/Batman. He’s got the chops and I think he would kill it!
Super12
Super12 - 9/8/2025, 4:03 PM
Shame - he'd be a great Aquaman, so long as he stays lightyears away from his old "AC" version.
Jackraow21
Jackraow21 - 9/8/2025, 4:06 PM
He should be Sabretooth. Or Cable.
LenSpiderman
LenSpiderman - 9/8/2025, 4:22 PM
As much as people love Chris Evans in the role, he’d be a good Captain America in a recast MCU. A shame he’d have to outshine magneto, but Fassbender would make a good Bruce Banner in a legit hulk movie arc. And Karl urban as an established Tony stark with an actual drinking problem, not just a cool college frat party boy drinking problem.
Forthas
Forthas - 9/8/2025, 4:25 PM
The role that best fits him is Solomon Grundy.
Timerider
Timerider - 9/8/2025, 7:46 PM
@Forthas - there’s a rumor going around that that’s the part he’s up for. I’m not sure if it’s true or not.
BigPhilbowski
BigPhilbowski - 9/8/2025, 4:34 PM
He'll always be Thad Castle to me
grif
grif - 9/8/2025, 4:39 PM
what would he be taking from jason?

TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/8/2025, 5:04 PM
Jesus , I knew he was big but why is Alan built like Luther Hargreeves now from Umbrella Academy?.

Speaking of which , that actor named Tom Hopper is in Terminal List:Dark Wolf currently which I’m watching and honestly think he could make a good Aquaman tbh.

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ElJefe
ElJefe - 9/8/2025, 5:05 PM
He's not wrong - his vibe is similar to Momoa’s - bulky, brutish, gym-bro. I’d like to see a regal King of Atlantis.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/8/2025, 5:10 PM
While I think Ritchson could play an infuriating Batman and even charismatic Bruce Wayne , I just don’t like Batman being that big personally…

Feel like he’s built more for Absolute Batman then the regular comics one.

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Other choices I could see him as are Captain Atom , Wildcat & Orion!!.

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ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 9/8/2025, 5:21 PM
This dude would be a great fit for Captain Atom; he was badass on Justice League United, but I'm not aware of him receiving live-action treatment.
TheJester187
TheJester187 - 9/8/2025, 5:35 PM
My guy needs to get me on his weight lifting program. He could be anyone in the damn comic film universes
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