Alan Ritchson’s “Messier” DCU Role Needs To Be One of These Six Characters

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Alan Ritchson has a history with DC Comics, starting with his early role as Aquaman on the show Smallville. He later played Hawk in the Titans series on the DC Universe streaming platform. More recently, he’s become well-known for playing Jack Reacher in the Prime Video series Reacher. Ritchson has publicly stated his desire to be part of James Gunn’s reimagined DC Universe.

Although many fans thought he’d be a great Batman, the actor has said that role isn’t going to happen. He did mention talking with James Gunn about wanting to play a more complex, flawed character – not as straightforward as Batman. This has sparked speculation about which DC character he might be considering. A ‘messier’ character suggests someone with questionable morals, potentially a villain or a hero who isn’t always on the right side of the law. Considering the DC projects currently in the works and the extensive DC Comics universe, there are six characters Ritchson could realistically play.

Shazam


DC Comics

First Appearance: Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940)

Created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck

As a huge cinema fan, I’m really excited about what they could do with Shazam – or Captain Marvel, as I still sometimes think of him! While the movies haven’t been chaotic, the idea of a kid stuck in an adult superhero’s body is just ripe for comedy, and we’ve already seen that. I think he’s a character who could really shake things up in the new DC Universe, especially when you consider his relationship with Superman. They’re often portrayed as friends and rivals, and knowing how much James Gunn loves Justice League Unlimited, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a storyline similar to the ‘Clash’ episode – something that really explores that dynamic and makes Shazam a more complex character within the DCU.

Alan Ritchson’s physique and strong features are a good match for the classic look of Shazam, and he’s proven he can handle the character’s humor. While it’s a risk to recast Shazam so soon after Zachary Levi’s portrayal, many fans would likely be excited. The biggest challenge might be the reaction from Zachary Levi himself and the potential for Hollywood controversy surrounding a quick recast after the recent Shazam! Fury of the Gods movie.

Despero


DC Comics

First Appearance: Justice League of America #1 (October 1960)

Created by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky

The new DC Universe is planning to introduce powerful alien villains, hinting at characters like Mongul and Brainiac in previous projects. Joe Manganiello’s casting could be ideal for Despero, a formidable foe with incredible strength, psychic powers, and a brilliant mind – making him a serious threat, even capable of challenging the entire Justice League.

Despero is usually known as an enemy of the Justice League, but he’s not one of their most famous foes. This makes him a flexible villain who could appear in almost any DC Universe project, challenging teams like The Justice Gang or Checkmate. Since James Gunn has stated they won’t be using Darkseid for a while, Despero could take his place, and there’s even potential to link him to the Salvation dimension seen at the end of season one of Peacemaker.

Ted Grant/Wildcat


DC Comics

First Appearance: Sensation Comics #1 (January 1942)

Created by Bill Finger and Irwin Hasen

Ted Grant is the original Wildcat, a popular character, and many fans believe Joe Keery would be a fantastic choice for the role. Before becoming Wildcat, Grant was a skilled boxer, considered one of the best fighters in the DC Universe – he even trained heroes like Black Canary and Batman. Keery’s physique and experience in action roles make him well-suited for the part. Wildcat’s existence within the new DC Universe is already established, as he appeared in a mural within the Hall of Justice in Superman. While this suggests his stories could be set before the events of Superman, James Gunn has stated that DCU projects won’t be limited to the present day and can include flashbacks.

Nathanial Adams / Captain Atom


DC Comics

First Appearance: Captain Atom vol. 3 #1 (March 1987)

Created by Cary Bates and Pat Broderick

The first Captain Atom appeared in 1960, but most comic book readers know the updated version that DC Comics created after buying the character from Charlton Comics. Captain Atom is actually Nathanial Adams, an Air Force officer who volunteers for a dangerous experiment in exchange for clearing his name after being wrongly accused of a crime. The experiment transforms him into a powerful hero with metallic skin and the ability to manipulate radiation.

Okay, so picture this: Captain Atom. In the comics, this guy is powerful – seriously, on par with Superman. What I really love about him is the internal conflict – he’s constantly juggling doing what’s right and following orders from the government. That fits perfectly with the vibe of the Peacemaker show, honestly. And here’s a fun bit of casting trivia: John Ritchson, who’s been getting rave reviews, would be amazing in the role. It’s ironic because Captain Atom was originally supposed to be the villain, Monarch, but DC changed it after fans figured it out. Ritchson already played Hawk on Titans, and Hawk is connected to Monarch, so he’d be playing characters tied to the same villain across two different DC universes! Honestly, the character was also handled really well in Justice League Unlimited, so they know how to use him.

Deathstroke


DC Comics

First Appearance: The New Teen Titans #2 (December 1980)

Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez

I was so excited when I heard about a potential Deathstroke and Bane project at DC Studios for 2024! Since Peacemaker Season 2 hinted at a loose adaptation of Salvation’s Run, that’s what I’ve been hoping for ever since. Honestly, Joe Manganiello was great, but I think Joe Ritchson would absolutely nail Deathstroke. He’s got the perfect build and intensity to play the ultimate assassin – a villain who’s given both the Teen Titans and Batman a serious run for their money. With Brave and the Bold, a new Teen Titans series, and Salvation Run all being developed, there are so many possibilities, and I truly believe Ritchson would be fantastic under that iconic mask!

Slam Bradley


DC Comics

First Appearance: Detective Comics #1 (March 1937)

Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster created Detective Slam Bradley before Superman, and he actually debuted in Detective Comics two years before Batman. Bradley is a traditional pulp detective who has lived in both Gotham and Metropolis. For a long time, the character was overlooked because his early appearances contained offensive racist and sexist portrayals. However, in 2001, writer Ed Brubaker and artist Darwyn Cooke brought him back as a supporting character in the Catwoman comic, reimagining him as a detective in his fifties who’s seen better days.

Alan Ritchson would be a great fit for the role of Slam Bradley, whether as a traditional, heroic detective or a more hardened, disillusioned one, as seen in some of the comics. He’d feel right at home in the gritty world of Gotham, perhaps appearing in Brave and the Bold, or could be introduced into the Superman universe. He could work as a source for Lois Lane in a Man of Tomorrow story, or even have a part in the upcoming Jimmy Olsen TV show.

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2025-12-01 23:06