Key Takeaways:
– Alan Ritchson gained fame through his lead role in the action series, Reacher.
– Previously, the actor played Aquaman in Smallville and Hawk in Titans.
– Ritchson auditioned for Thor in the MCU and Nightwing in Titans but failed to land either role.
– Despite experiencing rejection, Ritchison persevered, enhancing his acting abilities and landing numerous roles in other shows.
Actor Alan Ritchson, who recently rose to worldwide popularity playing Jack Reacher in the action series of the same name based on Lee Child’s novels, has missed out on significant superhero roles despite his fair share of wins.
Peak and Troughs of Ritchson’s Career
In the early days of his career, Ritchson made waves as a contestant on the third season of American Idol. Known for his infamous striptease performance, which grabbed the attention of judge Paula Abdul, his singing career, however, did not take off.
Nonetheless, his stint in the acting world picked up when he was cast as Arthur Curry a.k.a Aquaman in Smallville. Ritchson not only gained traction from this superhero role, but the hit sitcom Blue Mountain State also garnered him a wide fanbase.
Ritchson’s Superhero Role Ambitions
Ritchson’s career saw a downward turn when he auditioned for the role of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to Men’s Health, despite being a notable Hollywood hunk, Ritchson’s assumption that his looks would land him the Thor role turned out to be a blunder.
He revealed, “I didn’t take it seriously. I was like, They’ll throw me the part if I look like the guy; nobody really cares about acting.” When his team inquired about the selection process, Marvel responded stating that Ritchson lacked the acting craft required for the role, which was found in Chris Hemsworth, who was ultimately cast as Thor.
Persistent in his endeavors, Ritchson then sought to improve his acting skills. He worked with Deborah Aquila, a renowned casting director who coached him despite initially doubting her ability to help him upon reviewing his previous work.
Rejections and Recoveries: Ritchson’s Journey Continues
Post this experience, Ritchson landed roles in popular shows such as Black Mirror, New Girl, Hawaii Five-o, Workaholics, Blood Drive, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Yet, the industry’s age restrictions played a role in restricting his career progress when he was considered “too old” for the role of Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.
Despite previous setbacks, Ritchson had hopes high for his audition for the role of Dick Greyson a.k.a Robin/Nightwing in Titans. His confidence was so much so that he purchased a Tesla, firmly believing he had nailed the audition. Contrary to his expectations, he didn’t land the lead role.
Even though the coveted Nightwing role eluded him, Ritchson was chosen to portray Hawk in Titans. Starting as a recurring member in the first season, he eventually received promotion to the main cast in the second season.
Throughout his journey, Reacher star Alan Ritchson’s career has been filled with notable highs and lows. Despite missing out on high-profile superhero roles, his determination to improve his craft and subsequent roles that he won exemplify resilience in the ever-challenging entertainment industry. With his recent successful portrayal of literary character Jack Reacher, his story emphasizes the importance of persistence in the face of rejection.
Continuing his journey, Ritchson’s performance in any future auditions and roles will be eagerly awaited by his worldwide fan base.
