Reacher star Alan Ritchson admits he has little love for the garish costume he had to wear as Aquaman in Smallville and reiterates his interest in suiting up as DC Studios’ Batman. Read on for more…

Smallville ran for 10 seasons on The WB (which was later renamed The CW) and followed Clark Kent’s incredibly lengthy journey from farmboy to Superman.

Along the way, the future Man of Steel crossed paths with several young superheroes, including Arthur Curry/Aquaman.

Believe it or not, Alan Ritchson only played the sea-faring supe in four episodes; despite that, the role is one the Reacher star has become synonymous with.

Talking on the Post Credit Podcast, the actor admitted that he doesn’t look back at Aquaman’s suit with particularly fond memories. “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,” he joked.

“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,” Ritchson added.

“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.”

Since playing Aquaman, he’s starred as Raphael in the live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and suited up as Hawk in DC’s Titans. Now, though, he’s setting his sights on DC Studios’ Batman in The Brave and the Bold…if they’ll have him.

“The fact that people are interested in me playing Batman is a real honor and privilege,” Ritchson said elsewhere in this conversation. “It’s one of the first characters I fell in love with as a child: I still remember the big, long pistol coming out of Joker’s pants as he goes to shoot down the Batplane.”

“Those iconic moments really resonated with me as a child. For there to even be a conversation or a rumor mill surrounding this role, for me…all I can do is laugh. I just think it’s wild that’s where we are.”

After suggesting he might be too old to play a younger Batman in the DCU, the hosts of the podcast pointed out to Ritchson that DC Studios’ version of the hero will have a 10-year-old son in Damian Wayne/Robin.

“Okay, then, you know…I would love to. I would absolutely love to,” he confirmed. “It’s one of the coolest characters of all time.”

Ritchson’s star is on the rise and he’s cemented himself as a bona fide action star with Reacher. Whether he’s the sort of actor James Gunn has in mind for the Dark Knight remains to be seen, but he’s a clear fan favourite right now.

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