Despite his desire to play Batman, Alan Ritchson would be a better fit to play these three DC Universe characters.
It’s no secret that Ritchson wants to work in the DCU. During a recent interview on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Ritchson confirmed that he’s spoken with James Gunn, saying, “I hope that we work on something that feels like we’re all making the movie I’d be proud of . . . There could be a bright future for us, and there have been a lot of conversations.”
Ritchson has been very open about his desire to play Batman. However, the Reacher star should play these three characters instead.
3 DCU characters Alan Ritchson should play instead of Batman
1) Captain Atom
As a physically imposing actor, Ritchson needs to play a character that takes advantage of size. Nathaniel Adam, aka Captain Atom, could be the ideal fit for Ritchson. Enclosed in a metallic shell called Dilustel, Captain Atom can manipulate energy and redirect it as a nuclear blast. The character also has superhuman strength on par with Superman.
Captain Atom has been featured in several versions of the Justice League. When Gunn finally decides to make his team-up movie with Batman, Superman, and other DCU characters, Ritchson’s Captain Atom should be in the lineup.
2) Aquaman
If you’re going to cast Ritchson in the DCU, why not give him a part he’s played before? On Smallville, Ritchson played the live-action Arthur Curry, better known as Aquaman. In Gunn’s DCU, Jason Momoa gave up the role of Aquaman to play Lobo. Therefore, the Atlantean hero needs a new actor.
Momoa portrayed Aquaman as a tough guy with a side of sarcasm. Ritchson has been channeling those same character traits in Reacher, one of Prime Video’s highest-viewed shows. Ritchson could even lighten Aquaman’s personality thanks to his outgoing nature and comedic experience.
3) Deathstroke
So far, most fan castings for Ritchson have been for heroes in the DCU. What if Gunn went against the grain and cast Ritchson in a villainous role? Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, could be the right villain for Ritchson. The former soldier became a ruthless assassin after taking a super-soldier serum, giving him enhanced speed, strength, and mental capacities.
Deathstroke was famously going to play the villain in Ben Affleck’s Batman movie. In Gunn’s DCU, there are reports of a Deathstroke and Bane movie along with a Teen Titans movie. Both films provide chances to bring Deathstroke to the big screen. Playing a complex villain would be an intriguing challenge for Ritchson and one I would want to see.
Originally reported by Dan Girolamo for SuperHeroHype.
