Alan Ritchson is no stranger to the world of DC Comics. His big acting break was playing Arthur Curry / Aquaman on Smallville, before later taking on the role of Hank Hall / Hawk in the DC Universe streaming service title, Titans. Since then, Ritchson’s profile has grown thanks to his role as Jack Reacher on Prime Video’s Reacher. On multiple occasions, the actor has expressed interest in joining James Gunn’s new DC Universe.
While some fans originally wanted him to play Batman, the actor has since ruled that out. However, Ritchson did hint he had spoken with James Gunn, explaining that they had discussed him wanting to play a “messier” character than Batman. Who could this be? Messy implies a bit of moral ambiguity, so this could be either a villain or a hero that strays more on the darker side. Looking at the DC projects that have been confirmed to be in development and the rich world of DC Comics, there are six possible candidates Ritchson would be perfect for.
Shazam
First Appearance: Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940)
Created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck
Shazam (previously named Captain Marvel) might not seem “messy”, but the character’s setup of being a child in the body of an adult man certainly lends itself to plenty of comedy, as seen in the previous two live-action films. This means the character could lead to some fun DC Universe complications, particularly in relation to a hero like Superman, as the two are often pitted as both allies but slight rivals. Given James Gunn’s adoration for Justice League Unlimited, something like the episode “Clash” could be in the cards, making Shazam a more complicated figure in the DCU.
Ritchson’s large frame and square jawline certainly fit the traditional comic look of Shazam, while allowing the actor to flex his comedic sensibilities. Casting Ritchson as Shazam so soon after Zachary Levi played the role would also be a gamble, though one many audiences might be on board with. The “messy” part might come from the fallout from Zachary Levi himself, creating a bit of Hollywood drama with the character being recast just a few years after Shazam! Fury of the Gods hit theaters.
Despero
First Appearance: Justice League of America #1 (October 1960)
Created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky
The DCU is looking to populate itself with alien warlords and conquerors, as The Suicide Squad already teased Mongul with his daughter Mongal, and Man of Tomorrow looks to bring in Brainiac. One that Ritchson might be perfect for is Despero, a character who not only possesses super strength but also psychic abilities and a genius-level intellect whose brain matches his brawn (which is massive, given he has been known to take on the entire Justice League).
While Despero is traditionally a Justice League villain, he is also on the lesser-known side, meaning he can be slotted into any DCU project as a foe that various teams like The Justice Gang or Checkmate can do battle with. With James Gunn confirming they are holding off on Darkseid for some time, Despero could fill the void and could even be connected to the Salvation dimension that Peacemaker was stranded on at the end of Peacemaker Season 2.
Ted Grant/Wildcat
First Appearance: Sensation Comics #1 (January 1942)
Created by Bill Finger and Irwin Hasen
Ted Grant was the first Wildcat, and a long-time fan-favorite, for whom Ritchson would be perfect. Before becoming Wildcat, Ted Grant was a boxer and is regarded as one of the best fighters in the DC Universe, having trained the likes of Black Canary and even Batman. Given Ritchson’s imposing frame and proficiency with the action genre, he would be a great pick for Wildcat. Wildcat is already confirmed to exist in the DCU, as he was one of the many heroes featured in the Hall of Justice mural in Superman. This could mean Ritchson’s Wildcat stories would take place long before the events of Superman, but Gunn has confirmed that DCU projects will not only take place in the present day, and stories can also flash back.
Nathanial Adams / Captain Atom
First Appearance: Captain Atom vol. 3 #1 (March 1987)
Created by Cary Bates and Pat Broderick
The original Captain Atom was created in 1960; however, most comic fans are familiar with the second version of the character, introduced after DC Comics acquired him from the Charlton Comics brand. Nathanial Adams is a United States Air Force Officer who offers to undergo an experimental procedure as a pardon for a crime he didn’t commit. He is ultimately transformed into Captain Atom, a hero with metallic skin and the ability to control radiation.
In the comics, his powers rival those of Superman, and he is often torn between his duties as a hero and his loyalty to the United States Government, a dynamic that fits right in with the Salvation storyline set up in Peacemaker. Ritchson’s casting as Captain Atom would also carry a fun meta-layer of irony, as Captain Atom was originally intended (and later made) to be revealed as the villain Monarch, but DC Comics changed it to the character of Hawk after fans guessed the identity. Ritchson previously played Hawk on Titans, so in two different DC realities, he would play heroes connected to the villain Monarch. Captain Atom is another character used excellently in Justice League Unlimited.
Deathstroke
First Appearance: The New Teen Titans #2 (December 1980)
Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez
In 2024, news broke that a Deathstroke and Bane project was in the works at DC Studios. While no official word has been made since Peacemaker Season 2 ended with the reveal that the DCU would loosely adapt Salvation’s Run, many have suspected that to be the planned Deathstroke and Bane project. Ritchson would make for an excellent Deathstroke, the ultimate assassin with a massive physique who not only has been the Teen Titans’ primary villain but also gone toe-to-toe with Batman. Given that Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans, and Salvation Run adaptations are all in various stages of development at DC Studios, there are plenty of projects for Deathstroke to slot into, and Ritchson would be a great fit for the iconic mask.
Slam Bradley
First Appearance: Detective Comics #1 (March 1937)
Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster
Before they created Superman, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s first DC character was Detective Slam Bradley, who appeared in the first issue of Detective Comics, two years before Batman made his debut and took over the title. Slam Bradley is a classic pulp story detective who, at various points, has resided in Gotham and Metropolis. For many years, Slam Bradley was largely forgotten due to his early comics being filled with harmful racist stereotypes and sexist depictions of women. In 2001, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Darwyn Cooke reinvigorated the character as part of Catwoman’s supporting cast, now in his 50s and a bit of an over-the-hill detective.
Ritchson could easily embody the classic man-of-action version of Slam Bradley as a former cop turned private eye, but could also play a more cynical, world-weary version of the character, like his later comic incarnations. He could easily fit into the world of Gotham in Brave and the Bold, or it would be fitting to put him in the world of Superman alongside Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s most famous character. He could be a contact of Lois Lane in Man of Tomorrow or even play a role in the newly announced Jimmy Olsen television show.