It’s hard to imagine Alan Ritchson playing anyone else now that he has completely owned the role of Jack Reacher in the Amazon Prime Video series. But way before he emerged as one of the finest action stars in television, the actor almost secured an Aquaman spinoff that had the potential to alter his career big time.
Well, things didn’t go according to plan, and Ritchson couldn’t join the cast of ‘Smallville.’ But looking back now, Ritchson isn’t hung up on the opportunity that slipped away. If anything, he believes losing it shaped his career for the better.
Alan Ritchson Considers The Spin-off Loss A “Blessing In Disguise”
Alan Ritchson made his screen debut playing Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, on ‘Smallville’ released in 2005. The role was an enormous success for him, as the episode broke viewership records, and executives at Warner Bros. decided to turn the character into a solo venture starring Ritchson.
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The development was halted due to the merger of The WB and United Paramount Network, resulting in the formation of The CW. Nevertheless, Ritchson considers losing the series “a blessing in disguise,” as he shared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast.
“What happened behind the scenes for me was the best loss that I could have ever asked for,” he said. Moreover, the actor explained that when he got ‘Smallville,’ he barely had any acting experience at all. He was only a year out of ‘American Idol.’
The actor admitted he didn’t know what to do next. Apparently, the network had to hire a special coach for the newcomer, who did not even understand the basic acting techniques. “I was wholly confused the entire time…I didn’t know what I was doing, coasting on instincts.”
Even though the executives kept reassuring him that he would be “the next big thing,” the merger changed everything. “The president of UPN took over, and he looks at the slate of shows they’re developing, and he’s like, ‘Who the hell is this guy with no resume getting his own show,'” Ritchson recalled.
“Long, long story short, they ended up coming back actually at one point because they couldn’t find anybody else.” Although the producers tried to revive the idea, Justin Hartley ended up playing Aquaman for a pilot that never materialized.
From Disappointment To A Major Learning Lesson
Instead of considering the abandoned project a loss of a great opportunity, Ritchson saw it as something that changed his attitude toward the entertainment industry. He realized that nothing in the film business is ever certain until it broadcasts and the audience has a chance to make their decision.
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“I learned to hold so loosely to every opportunity that came to where I would never get too excited, you know…It just [helped] me navigate this business in a more grounded way. And I learned that right out of the gate with a real tough loss.”
Ritchson’s career breakthrough happened in 2010 when he played Thad Castle in ‘Blue Mountain State.’ Other projects such as ‘Titans,’ ‘Fast X,’ and ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ establish him as one of the greatest action stars in Hollywood before ‘Reacher’ ultimately elevated his status.
In the second half of this year, he has four projects lined up across theaters and streaming. The first project is ‘Motor City,’ slated for July 24, followed by the fourth season of ‘Reacher’ on Prime Video. He will also star in the action thriller ‘Runner,’ and the ‘Reacher’ spin-off ‘Neagley.’
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