Even though he’s been heavily fan-cast as Batman, I think Alan Ritchson would actually be perfect as another new hero in the rebooted DC Universe. We best know Alan Ritchson as the star of Reacher, Fast X and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but the actor also has experience in superhero projects that convinces me he’d be perfect for a role in James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DCU. First appearing as Aquaman in Smallville and later as Hawk in тιтans, I would love to see Alan Ritchson take on a completely new role.

Many actors have been suggested to be perfect for the role of Bruce Wayne’s Batman in the DCU, with the Caped Crusader set to make his debut in The Brave and the Bold after his non-speaking cameo in Creature Commandos. Alan Ritchson has become a fan-favorite potential actor for the Dark Knight, and I agree that he’d be a fantastic choice for the role, but there are other heroes that the Reacher actor would also be a great fit for. A new fan-cast for Alan Ritchson has grasped my attention.

I Would Love To See Alan Ritchson As A New Shazam In The DCU

Alan Ritchson Would Be Great As The DCU’s Billy Batson

Originally known as Captain Marvel, Shazam is one of DC Comics’ original superheroes, debuting in 1940’s Whiz Comics #2. Shazam is the alter ego of the child Billy Batson, who is able to harness the powers of six immortal elders by exclaiming, “SHAZAM!,” with the word transforming him into a costumed superhero. Shazam has a rich history in DC Comics, but his live-action adaptation for the DC Extended Universe was disappointing, so I’d love to see him reinvented for the rebooted DCU, and Alan Ritchson would be fantastic in the role.

Alan Ritchson has a brilliant combination of seriousness and comedic talents that would work perfectly for a new interpretation of Shazam. Zachary Levi’s version of the character was heavily criticized for being too immature even when in adult form, while the powers of the immortal gods make the costumed Shazam a braver and wiser hero in DC Comics. I see a lot of Shazam in Alan Ritchson, with his strength, muscular physique and incredible talent making me certain he’d deliver a more comic-accurate and exciting iteration of Shazam.

Why Shazam Would Be Great To See In The DCU After The DCEU’s Failures

Shazam Was Failed In The DCEU

Shazam was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, even beating Superman, but this was not reflected in his live-action depiction in the DCEU. Zachary Levi did a solid job at bringing the adult form of Shazam to the big-screen, but certainly had his flaws. Most notably, Levi’s Shazam arguably exacerbated Billy Batson’s childlike personality, while the child Batson, portrayed by Asher Angel, was more mature than his costumed counterpart. This dicH๏τomy confused me, and made me think that this interpretation just wasn’t up to snuff.

While 2019’s Shazam! fared fairly well, and was actually enjoyable, its 2023 sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, was not as successful. Fury of the Gods is deemed far inferior to its predecessor and was a major box office disappointment. I found Zachary Levi’s still-childlike performance, despite the movie being set two years later, awkward and confusing, and wished that Shazam had a more mature outlook and perspective. The iconic DC character needs redemption more than any other, and I think Alan Ritchson is the perfect candidate to bring it.

Alan Ritchson Deserves A DCU Role Even If He’s Not Cast As Batman

Alan Ritchson Is A Fantastic Actor

The appearance of Batman in Creature Commandos may have made Alan Ritchson’s casting as the Caped Crusader more likely, as Batman’s physique is very reminiscent of Ritchson’s. Even if Ritchson isn’t cast as Batman, however, I think he deserves a substantial role in the new DC Universe. Ritchson has experience as Aquaman, so it’s possible he could reprise this iconic role following Jason Momoa’s recasting as Lobo, while he could also return as Hank Hall from тιтans, despite his death in season 3.

Alan Ritchson has also been suggested for the roles of Hawkman, Captain Atom, Metallo and Booster Gold, with the latter set to headline his own series in the rebooted DCU. Alan Ritchson is a brilliant talent who has become more prominent in recent years, so it would make sense for James Gunn and Peter Safran to snap him up for a more full-on role in the DCU. Any number of these iconic characters would be great for the actor, but I would love to see Alan Ritchson as a new version of Shazam.

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