Alan Ritchson‘s first acting role came as Aquaman on Smallville. The episode became a ratings success back in 2005. That performance almost earned him his own series. However, the planned spinoff never moved forward.
Alan Ritchson opens up about losing the Smallville Aquaman series
Speaking on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Alan Ritchson called it the best loss that he could have ever asked for. He said, “What happened behind the scenes for me was the best loss that I could have ever asked for; it was a blessing in disguise.”
Looking back at his first acting experience, Ritchson admitted, “I didn’t know what I was doing at all.” He said the network hired an acting coach. However, the coach would fight with the show’s director. He added, “I was wholly confused the entire time… I didn’t know what I was doing, coasting on instincts.”
He said WB executives later told him, “You’re going to be the next big thing.” However, everything changed after the WB and UPN merger. Ritchson recalled the new network president asking who he was: “With no resume getting his own show. Long, long story short, they ended up coming back actually at one point because they couldn’t find anybody else.”
Justin Hartley was eventually cast as Aquaman instead. A pilot episode was filmed but never aired. That ended Ritchson’s chance to lead the series. Looking back, Ritchson said the experience changed his mindset forever.
He said, “Until you’re in front of the camera… until it’s done and in the can and in front of audiences, nothing is a sure thing in this business. I learned to hold so loosely to every opportunity that came to where I would never get too excited, you know… It just [helped] me navigate this business in a more grounded way. And I learned that right out of the gate with a real tough loss.”
Today, Ritchson has found major success with the Amazon Prime Video hit series Reacher. Looking back, he believes losing the DC character and the Aquaman series helped shape his career.
Originally reported by Ojas Kulkarni on SuperHeroHype.
