Should Alan Ritchson Or Justin Hartley Reprise The Role Of 'Aquaman' In The DCU?

Dan Lalonde
Sep 8
2 min read

Do you know the history of Aquaman before both the Arrowverse and the DCEU started? Alan Ritchson (Reacher) was its first live-action portrayer as he played the Arthur Curry role in 'Smallville's' fourth episode of season 5 in 2005. This is where it gets strange. A pilot was commissioned titled 'Mercy Reef', but they decided to do it with a completely new Aquaman character played by Justin Hartley (Tracker).

The show was a victim of WB merging with UPN to become the CW network and wasn't picked up. Hartley would later join 'Smallville' as the Green Arrow, and the two would share the screen when Ritchson reprised the role. I guess you need a road map for that one.

With Jason Momoa leaving the DCEU character behind to become Lobo in DCU's 'Supergirl,' the role is vacant. Besides having the complicated job of bringing the universes together, could Ritchson or Hartley seriously reprise the role? I don't mean business-wise, but performance-wise? Hartley would have the easier way in, as his universe didn't survive past the pilot episode, so it could fit in anything. I liked the pilot and recommend people search for it online.

Ritchson recently addressed this in an interview with Liam Saul: “No, I would never take that from Jason Momoa. I have too much respect…I would definitely want to explore new horizons, and I have a feeling we may. We’ll see."

That statement is hogwash, considering he originated the role, and I think it's his way to be asked to play Batman in 'The Brave And The Bold.' Am I way off base again in my ideas? Comment below with your thoughts.