Reacher star Alan Ritchson has seemingly made it clear he has no interest in telling stories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, despite previously expressing interest in suiting up as the DCU’s Batman.

Alan Ritchson’s star is on the rise. As well as stealing the show as the lead of Prime Video’s Reacher, the actor has made the transition to the big screen with roles in Fast X and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

However, it doesn’t sound as if he’s gunning for a part in any future Marvel Cinematic Universe projects.

“Like everybody else, I sit back and yawn at Marvel movies regurgitating comic book stories that we’ve seen a thousand times because they’re the only way studios feel like they can make money,” he tells GQ. “I want to be a solution; I want to do something about it.”

“So I’m using every bit of leverage that I have to create new, compelling stories. That’s my mission.”

This somewhat contradicts Ritchson’s repeated declarations of being interested in playing the DCU’s Batman…unless that world, and the character, is simply far more compelling to him than any Marvel superhero.

He’s no stranger to the DC Universe, though, having played Hawk in Titans and Aquaman in Smallville. “I was the only guy out of probably 3,000 people they auditioned that didn’t come in with some kind of affectation,” Ritchson says of the latter.

“I was just coasting on these instincts to be natural. He just happens to be a superhero, but he’s also just a guy.”

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Here’s what the Reacher star previously said about potentially playing the DCU’s Dark Knight:

“I would love to play Batman. There, I said it, OK? I’ll shout it from the rooftops! I want to be Bruce Wayne! Here’s the thing about Batman. You know what his superpower is? Intelligence. Dude is the smartest superhero there is. He’s inventive, and he’s got all the gadgets. But he’s super smart.”

“I want to be that guy. And also to have a cave with hyper cars. Sports cars, and awesome motorcycles. I’m into that stuff.”

“The fact that people are interested in me playing Batman is a real honor and privilege. 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. I would love to. I would absolutely love to [play him].”

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