Alan Ritchson’s Smallville Role Proves He Should Play Aquaman, Not Batman in the DCU

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Alan Ritchson has quickly become well-known, largely thanks to his popular role as Jack Reacher on Prime Video. This has led fans to enthusiastically suggest him for many different parts, with the DCU Batman being a particularly frequent request. However, to truly see how Ritchson could excel in the DC Universe, fans should consider one of his other standout performances.

Season 5 of Smallville marked a turning point for the show, giving Clark Kent a more active role and a wider world to interact with. This expansion included introducing other people with superpowers, like Arthur Curry, also known as Aquaman. Actor Ritchson’s performance as Aquaman was so strong that it demonstrates why he’s a better fit for a standalone film than a Batman team-up.

Ritchson Made a Great Aquaman for Smallville

Alan Ritchson has played many roles, but he especially remembers his appearance on Smallville. In the Season 5 episode “Aqua,” he played Arthur Curry, who initially seemed like a romantic interest for Clark Kent. However, their characters ultimately foreshadowed the formation of some of DC Comics’ most famous heroes. This was one of the first times Arthur Curry was brought to life in a live-action TV show or movie.

Initially, Curry comes across as arrogant and unlikeable in this episode. Clark is surprised to meet someone with similar abilities. However, by the episode’s end, Curry proves himself to be a hero on par with Clark, making for a truly exciting and memorable experience.

Even though it was one of his first roles, Alan Ritchson really stands out in the episode. He confidently acts alongside Tom Welling’s popular Clark Kent, and he’s very convincing as the confident, young Arthur Curry. It’s easy to see why the show brought him back for several appearances.

One major challenge for Smallville was that it aired when superhero shows weren’t as popular or well-regarded as they are today. And Aquaman’s original costume—bright orange and green—just didn’t feel believable, either as a superhero outfit or something he’d wear in public. Despite these limitations, the show still managed to deliver one of its most memorable aspects.

Ritchson’s Aquaman Would Help Lead the Justice League

Naturally, when Arthur Curry appeared in Smallville, it made sense to introduce other heroes as well. That’s how Cyborg, Impulse, and Green Arrow joined Clark and Arthur, forming a super team. This was a huge moment for the show, marking the first version of the Justice League. The series continued to build on this idea, expanding the concept even further.

The show gained several popular DC characters like Dr. Fate, Hawkman, and Zatanna, expanding its team of heroes. Although Bart Allen showed up as Impulse in Season 4, Joe Ritchson’s portrayal of Arthur Curry (Aquaman) stands out as the first time a member of the Justice League appeared on the show.

When Aquaman appeared on Smallville, it signaled the show was evolving and aiming for bigger things – giving DC Comics fans what they’d always wanted. Although Clark Kent never became Superman on screen, the show cleverly used Aquaman’s introduction to build what many consider the best live-action version of the Justice League so far.

Honestly, it’s no surprise most people don’t immediately think of Alan Ritchson when they hear ‘Aquaman.’ But you know, seeing him in Smallville really got me thinking. I genuinely believe the DC Universe would be much better off bringing him back as that character, rather than trying to shoehorn him into the role of Batman. He just felt right as Arthur Curry’s predecessor.

Ritchson Would Serve Better as the DCU Aquaman

Besides starring as Aquaman, Alan Ritchson has also portrayed a DC hero in the series Titans. He played Hawk, one half of a crime-fighting duo. While the show downplays some of the more magical elements of their abilities, Ritchson still delivers a powerful and intense performance as Hawk, making him a compelling and satisfying character to watch as he takes on criminals.

He’s physically deteriorating but relentlessly punishes criminals, operating as a shadowy vigilante dedicated to eliminating crime. His portrayal in Titans strongly resembles Batman, a role he excelled in. While it would be fantastic to see him play Batman officially, it might feel repetitive, as Ritchson has already fully explored this type of character through both Titans and Reacher.

It would be much more exciting to see Alan Ritchson play Aquaman instead of Batman. He already looks the part, and he could expand on the work he did with the character in Smallville. Even though these wouldn’t be the same versions of the character, it would be great to see Ritchson take on a bigger role with more resources and support.

The DC Universe is starting fresh, offering exciting possibilities for its characters. While Jason Momoa played a fun and lively Aquaman in the previous DC films, he didn’t quite capture the gravitas needed for a kingly portrayal of the Atlantean ruler. He brought energy to the role, but lacked the seriousness and regal presence the character deserves.

Alan Ritchson has the natural authority and strong screen presence to convincingly play a king. He’d likely portray Aquaman as a warrior ready to fight for his kingdom, similar to the character in the animated Justice League series. While he could bring those same strengths to Batman, it would be particularly exciting to see him take on the role of Aquaman.

Currently, it’s unclear if or when Aquaman will appear in the new DC Universe. Plans for Batman also seem to be on hold, and it’s unknown who James Gunn and Peter Safran are considering for either the role of Batman or Aquaman.

Alan Ritchson has consistently demonstrated in his role as Reacher that he possesses the physical build and presence needed to convincingly play Batman, a role many fans believe he’d excel in. However, his previous work on Smallville suggests an even more compelling possibility: seeing him take on Aquaman and explore the underwater world would be particularly interesting.

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2026-01-17 01:11