One popular choice to play Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe opens up about his time on Smallville and the positives and negatives of his role.

Split image of Alan Ritchson as Aquaman in Smallville in his suit and out of it

SUMMARY

 Alan Ritchson has recently spoken about playing Aquaman in Smallville for several episodes.

 Ritchson mentions feeling somewhat uncomfortable in the orange head-to-toe Speedo ensemble.
 As the role was earlier in Ritchson’s career, he says he didn’t question it, though the actor mentions wishing he had in retrospect.

Smallville star Alan Ritchson breaks down the one issue he had with playing Aquaman on the long-lived DC TV show. One of Smallville’s Justice League members who became a recurring guest throughout the years was Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman. Before Jason Momoa landed the role in the DCEU, Ritchson was the most modern incarnation of the Atlantean superhero in live-action.

In a recent interview with BroBible, Ritchson shared a bit about his experience on Smallville, where he played Aquaman for several episodes. When looking back at his time as Aquaman, Ritchson made it clear that his superhero suit on Smallville was something he wasn’t entirely proud of, sharing the following:

What comes to mind first is how fast and far I can run from all civilization when I see myself in that orange head-to-toe Speedo, zipped up the middle.

I see those pictures and I kind of can’t believe anybody thought it was a good idea to dress me like that and photograph me with that ensemble. When you’re just starting out, you do not feel like you have a voice or permission to say anything, so I just never questioned a thing and I wish I had. That Speedo was scary.

Alan Ritchson’s DC TV History Explained

Smallville Justice League custom image with Aquaman, Superman, and Green Arrow. Smallville Justice League Team Roster walking in front of an explosion
Split image of Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher and Hawk in Titans Custom image of Titan's Nightwing over Redhood, Hawk, and Dove Alan Ritchson looking serious as Jack Reacher in Reacher season 2

Ritchson first showed up on the Superman prequel series during Smallville season 5, introducing Aquaman during his early years too, in contrast to Clark Kent’s journey.

Over several seasons, Aquaman would make numerous guest spots, acting as one of the founding members of this world’s version of the Justice League. Ritchson’s final Aquaman appearance was in Smallville season 10 when he returned in “Patriot,” which also introduced Mera.

However, Ritchson would return to the world of DC only a couple of years later when he landed the role of Hank Hall, a.k.a. Hawk, on the Titans TV show.

Hank became one of the many series regulars, serving as one of the original Titans members while Dick Grayson was raising the next generation of the team. But Titans season 3 brought Hank’s time on the show to an end as he got killed off via a vicious plan by Jason Todd, a.k.a. Red Hood.

As Ritchson’s career has taken several steps forward through his starring role on Reacher, he has also emerged as a popular candidate to star as Batman in James Gunn’s DC Universe.

Ritchson has also stated in numerous interviews that he would love to join the franchise as the new Dark Knight, although there are no official talks of him suiting up as Batman. However, with his time on Smallville and Titans, Gunn’s DC Universe could perhaps be his next superhero destination.