Alan Ritchson ‘Smallville’ Spin-off Fell Apart, But Ultimately Saved His Career

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As a movie fan, I find Alan Ritchson’s story really inspiring. It took him until his 40s to really break through as a leading man, but he’s totally cool with that! He actually feels grateful for some of the roles he didn’t get, saying they helped him grow as a person and actor. He even told me about being offered the chance to star in a Smallville spin-off – he’d have played Aquaman! Can you imagine? It’s wild to think how different things could have been.

While Jason Momoa is now famous for playing the character, Alan Ritchson was actually the first actor to portray him on television, appearing in a 2005 episode of Smallville. This was Ritchson’s very first acting role, and he made a strong impression with his presence and physical build. A spin-off series was considered, which could have launched his career right away, but the project didn’t move forward. As a result, Ritchson had to start building his career from scratch. What led to the cancellation of that potential series?

Managerial Changes Ruined Alan Ritchson’s Chances of Early Success

Alan Ritchson’s debut as Aquaman in Smallville, where he dramatically rescued Lois Lane, remains a memorable moment for fans. While a spin-off series focusing on his Aquaman would have been a fantastic addition to the DC universe, the studio decided to go in a different direction.

Mike Ritchson told The Hollywood Reporter that after a very successful fifth season, he was immediately promised his own spin-off series. His performance received a lot of positive attention, and many believed his character was key to the show’s success. He was thrilled at the prospect of being the lead actor. However, when UPN and The WB merged to form The CW, those plans changed.

The president of UPN interrupted, saw the proposal, and immediately dismissed it, saying, “Who is this person with no experience? They’re not getting a show.” That ended our negotiations right then and there, but honestly, it was the best thing that could have happened to my career.

This situation could have been devastating for many, even leading some to leave the industry. However, Alan Ritchson views it as a valuable learning experience about how television works. He realized it’s crucial to not get too hopeful about promises, as things often change. He also learned to appreciate the present moment. Ultimately, missing out on that opportunity pushed him to take a more challenging path, allowing him to develop a wider range of skills.

My 20-year career taught me to appreciate everything and gave me broad experience in all aspects of filmmaking – writing, directing, and producing. This helped me grow as a person and prepared me to lead a team as a supportive leader on a show like Reacher. I’m truly thankful, and it was actually the early challenges and setbacks that ultimately got me ready for this role.

Ritchson shared that after years of not being a lead actor, he witnessed unprofessional behavior on set that he promised himself he’d never repeat. He recalled one instance where an actor abruptly left during a scene, causing problems for the entire crew. While acknowledging he isn’t perfect, Ritchson has made a point of avoiding that kind of disruptive conduct in his own work.

How an ‘Aquaman’ Series Would Have Impacted DC and Alan Ritchson’s Career

Alan Ritchson might not be as famous as he is now if he’d taken a role in an Aquaman spin-off. It’s rare for actors who play leads in popular superhero shows to become major Hollywood stars once those shows are over – Tom Welling, Grant Gustin, and Melissa Benoist are just a few examples of actors who haven’t been able to maintain that level of success.

Playing Aquaman/Arthur Curry could have briefly boosted Joe Manganiello’s career, but he might have quickly faded from consideration for other major roles. It’s common for TV show creators and networks to be wary of casting actors who are already well-known as leads elsewhere. Because of this, Manganiello’s name may not have even come up when producers were looking for someone to play Jack Reacher. And it’s likely he wouldn’t have landed the role of Thad Castle in Blue Mountain State if he’d had that early success!

An Aquaman TV series likely wouldn’t have changed the big picture of the DC universe. Other DC heroes appeared in both TV shows and major Warner Bros. movies with different actors, so Jason Momoa probably still would have played Aquaman. Plus, it would have aired at the same time as Smallville, meaning it wouldn’t have affected the later Arrowverse shows that began in the early 2010s.

Alan Ritchson Continues to be Linked to Other Superhero Roles

Although Alan Ritchson didn’t get to play Aquaman for very long, he’s a strong contender for another superhero role soon. Many fans believe he’d be a great Batman, pointing to his build, charisma, and naturally strong presence. However, there’s also been debate about whether he’s right for the part, and Ritchson himself has even suggested he might not be the best fit.

James Gunn has publicly stated he’s a fan of my work, and I’m a big fan of his too. We’ve definitely talked about Batman, but I don’t anticipate playing the character anytime soon. I do see myself continuing to work with DC on other projects, and I hope that happens.

While many fans see Alan Ritchson as a perfect fit for a heroic role, he’s expressed a preference for playing more complex characters. In an interview with Screen Rant, Ritchson said he’d rather avoid playing a typical “good guy” and would prefer a character with flaws. It’s unclear if James Gunn shares this vision. Currently, Ritchson is also being considered for roles like Captain Atom, a soldier-type character he’s familiar with, and the villain Deathstroke.

It’s natural to wonder why Alan Ritchson turned down the role of Batman. One possibility is that James Gunn, who’s leading DC Studios, envisions a more lighthearted and heroic Batman, similar to the classic Adam West portrayal – Gunn is known for enjoying humor. Ritchson might also be seeking out darker, more serious roles at this point in his career. Another likely reason is that he wants to be involved with the new DC Universe (DCU) as soon as possible. Gunn has said the DCU’s Batman film won’t be released for at least two years after The Batman: Part II (scheduled for October 2027), which could be a long wait for Ritchson. That seems to be the core of his decision.

But, what if… what if James Gunn cast him as Aquaman again? A nastier version of Aquaman?

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2026-04-03 20:04