Alan Ritchson Just Shut Down Every Batman Fanboy Fantasy With One Word

Alan Ritchson knows everyone keeps fan-casting him as Batman. He also knows he does not want to be Batman. Or Aquaman. But he does want in on James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe — just not as the two headliners you might expect.

What he said, straight up

'No, no, I’d never take that from Momoa, I have too much respect. I love Jason Momoa.'

That was Ritchson, in a new chat with interviewer Liam Saul on Instagram, when asked if he would suit back up as Aquaman (a role he first played on Smallville). He doubled down a beat later: 'No, I think there, I would definitely wanna explore some new horizons, and I think uh, I have a feeling we may. We’ll see.'

Translation: he is talking to the DCU brain trust about something, but it is not Arthur Curry. And despite the nonstop Batman fancasts after Reacher blew up, he is not angling for Bruce Wayne either.

So what does he want?

Wildcat. When Saul floated the Justice Society boxer, Ritchson perked up: 'That could be fun.' It is a very inside-baseball pick — Ted Grant is a grizzled, gloves-on mentor type — and honestly, it fits Ritchson’s bruiser-with-a-heart vibe better than a cowl or a trident.

Quick recap of his DC footprint (and where the DCU is headed)

• Ritchson’s DC past: he was Aquaman on Smallville for multiple seasons, teaming up with Clark Kent, Green Arrow, Bart Allen, and Victor Stone; by Season 10 he had married Mera and tangled with Slade Wilson. He also played Hawk on Titans.
• Where the DCU is focused right now: James Gunn’s slate is prioritizing Superman, The Brave and the Bold, Lanterns, and Supergirl.
• Aquaman’s status: unconfirmed in the new continuity. Gunn has confirmed Jason Momoa as Lobo, which leaves Aquaman’s future murky.
• Batman’s status: The Brave and the Bold will recast the Dark Knight, and fan wishlists love Ritchson — he just is not chasing it.

The read

Ritchson is clearly in the mix and has 'new horizons' on his mind. He is not going to step on Momoa’s toes for Aquaman, and he is not trying to inherit the cape and cowl. Wildcat — or a similarly punch-first, wisecracking veteran — feels like the lane he is signaling. For now, scratch Batman and Aquaman off his list, and pencil him in for something a little scrappier in the expanding DCU. 'We’ll see' sounds like sooner rather than later.