‘Reacher’ Star Alan Ritchson Misplaced Out on Thor After Not Taking Audition ‘Critically,’ Assumed Marvel Cared About Appears Over Performing

Earlier than starring because the title function within the hit Prime Video sequence “Reacher,” Alan Ritchson had auditioned for a number of notable superheroes and motion heroes all through his profession, together with Marvel’s Thor. In a brand new Males’s Well being cowl story, Ritchson revealed that he auditioned for the hammer-wielding god of thunder and, due to his look, figured he’d be a shoo-in for the lead within the 2011 Marvel movie.

“I didn’t take it critically,” Ritchson stated of the audition. “I used to be like, ‘They’ll throw me the half if I seem like the man; no one actually cares about performing,’” The casting crew, although, instructed Ritchson’s reps that the actor hadn’t proven that he had “the craft,” and the half finally went to Chris Hemsworth.

At that time in his profession, Ritchson had appeared on “American Idol,” performed Aquaman in just a few episodes of “Smallville,” and scored his comedic breakout function as Thad Fortress within the Spike TV sitcom “Blue Mountain State.” He anticipated “that there can be a cornucopia of comedies for me to select from” after “Blue Mountain State,” however he was not receiving any provides.

After his failed “Thor” audition, Ritchson took performing extra critically by enrolling in courses and reserving smaller roles on exhibits like “Black Mirror,” “New Lady” and “Brooklyn 9-9.” He then nabbed a recurring function in “Titans” as Hank Corridor/Hawk from 2019 to 2021. These tasks paved the best way to Ritchson’s breakthrough success in “Reacher.”

“I had about 50 provides the weekend after Season 1 of ‘Reacher’ opened,” Ritchson stated. “I knew my life had modified.”