Alan Ritchson might not be Batman, and that is okay. Since James Gunn announced plans for a new interconnected DC Universe (DCU) featuring fresh versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, fans have speculated who would play the trinity. Who would play Batman is all the more interesting given that Robert Pattinson is already playing Batman in a separate set of films, which, despite some fans’ desires, won’t be crossing over into the DCU. One person who fans have suggested as a potential Batman is Reacher star Alan Ritchson. Ritchson has also expressed interest in taking on the cape and cowl.
In a recent interview with Variety, Ritchson said he has spoken with James Gunn about Batman, but then added, “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.” It seems like Ritchson will not be the DCU’s Dark Knight, but he could play another DC hero. He already has experience, having played Arthur Curry/Aquaman on Smallville and Hank Hall/Hawk on Titans. There are plenty of other heroes that Ritchson could play, but he was never the right pick for Batman.
Ritchson Doesn’t Match the Vibes of Batman
Ritchson is one of the biggest actors in the world, not in terms of popularity but in physical stature. He is a mountain of a person, as seen in Reacher and also The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. It makes sense why people would want him to be Batman, since he could capture the massively imposing figure of the comics. Superhero drawings often face criticism for unrealistic proportions, but few resemble a 1990s comic book character like Alan Ritchson. Yet if Ben Affleck’s Dark Knight Returns-inspired Batman showed, something that works on the page doesn’t always translate on the big screen, and it is hard to imagine a person with a chest the size of a Jeep being a stealthy figure of the night.
Ritchson’s on-screen persona also plays a role. As an actor, he can adapt, as all actors do. Yet the best Ritchson performance plays off his natural charm, a bit of a soft-eyed and caring individual, which clashes with his physique. He is clearly capable of action scenes, but his vibe doesn’t match the brooding figure Batman is often depicted as. If the DCU wanted to opt for a more Adam West-inspired or Brave and the Bold-coded, chilled-out Batman with his attitude, then Ritchson would be a fun choice. That isn’t the direction James Gunn is interested in taking the DCU Batman. Ritchson might not be right for Batman, but we can think of three DC characters for whom he would be perfect.
Ritchson Should Play These Heroes in the DCU Instead
The first suggestion for Ritchson is Batman adjacent, detective Slam Bradley. Slam Bradley is a private investigator who was actually created by Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. He predates the Man of Steel by one year, making his debut in 1937’s Detective Comics #1, the very comic in which Batman would debut two years later. Bradley is a private investigator who often gets into and out of trouble with his fist.
Legendary writer and artist Darwyn Cooke established him as a world-weary and cynical detective working a bit past his prime in Gotham, but still willing to fight. Ritchson could easily sell both aspects of the character and ground him in physical action scenes, like in Reacher. Ritchson playing Slam Bradley could allow him to remain in the Batman adjacent world. Slam Bradley could fit into various corners of the DCU, as in the comics, he has ties to Catwoman, Superman, and even served as the partner of Martian Manhunter’s human alter ego, John Jones, in DC’s New Frontier.
The other DC character that Ritchson would be perfect for is Captain Atom, particularly the Nathaniel Adam version of the character. A United States Air Force Captain who is given incredible radioactive powers, Captain Atom is often torn between his role as a superhero and the duties he feels for his country. We’ve pitched Captain Atom as a potential character to appear in James Gunn’s Superman follow-up, and Ritchson would be the perfect pick to bring him to the big screen. Ritchson could certainly embody the character’s physicality, but his North Dakota background could lend the character a Midwestern charm.
This is also far from the most important piece, but casting Ritchson as Captain Atom is a fun bit of meta-casting since, in the storyline Armageddon 2001, the plan was to reveal Captain Atom as the mysterious villain Monarch. However, when the twist leaked, DC quickly changed it to the superhero Hawk, a character Ritchson previously played on Titans. Ritchson would be, no matter what, destined to be Monarch.
Finally, the other character Ritchson would be perfect for is none other than Shazam!. Previously played by Zachary Levi in the DCEU, Shazam is the adult alter ego of child Billy Batson, who, when he says the magic word “Shazam!,” turns into a superhero whose strength rivals that of Superman. Due to Zachary Levi’s support of Donald Trump, the chances of him reprising his role as Shazam in the DCU are slim to none. Ritchson would not only be a perfect replacement, but might actually suit the character better.
Part of Shazam’s appeal is that he embodies a child’s version of the ultimate superhero, and Ritchson’s muscular physique brings that dream hero to life.. Ritchson has a bit of a fun, boyish charm that suits the 12-year-old in an adult body, allowing him to flex some of his comedic muscles. Plus, Ritchson as Shazam would make for a visually dynamic showdown between the hero and Superman, as the two heroes often find themselves at odds before teaming up. A Shazam with Ritchson’s massive frame but the mind of a child against David Corenswet’s more lean but level-headed Superman would make for a fun showdown between two legendary heroes in comics.
Alan Ritchson might not be the best Batman, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be plenty of other DC heroes. In fact, we think these three choices are far better suited to Ritchson’s talents. If not, perhaps consider making him one of the Metal Men and finally bring that long-in-development movie to life.
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