Alan Ritchsonmay well be the avatar chosen by Jack Reacher to “blend in with normal people”, but the persona chosen by Reacher — ‘journeyman actor’ — has proven to be quite the eventful road. Ritchson, it turns out, may never have graced our screens in the Prime Video hit seriesReacherhad he taken the “craft” of acting more seriously when he was handed the keys to the Kingdom of Asgard in an audition forThor, only to make a mess of his audition and throw away what may have been his once-in-a-lifetime chance, as he toldMen’s Health in a new profile.
Speaking in regretful tones, Ritchson admitted he’d blown what he figured might be the opportunity of a lifetime, due to a lack of professionalism — he assumed because he looked the part, he would get it as skill wasn’t important. “I didn’t take it seriously,” said Ritchson.“I was like, ‘They’ll throw me the part if I look like the guy; nobody really cares about acting.’ ”
In the aftermath of the audition, the casting team led bySarah Halley Finnat Marvel told the actor’s representatives that Ritchson was the top choice for the role, but his performance was so disappointing that they wouldn’t be casting him, noting he hadn’t shown the required “craft” to take on the role.
Alan Ritchson Blew His Audition for ‘Thor’
After the audition, the casting cabal told his team the role had been his to lose but he hadn’t shown that he had “the craft.” It wasn’t his first superhero-related blow, either. In 2005, he won the part of Aquaman inSmallvilleand, having appeared as a guest star, was told he’d be starring in a spin-off based around the character,only to find outJustin Hartleywould get the role instead.
All the failures — plus acting lessons viaDeborah Aquila, who castThe Shawshank Redemptionand who is now executive vice president of casting at Paramount Television Studios and CBS Studios — eventually led him to auditioning forReacher. And everyone knew Jack Reacher had walked into the room, even if his hands aren’t quite the size of Thanksgiving turkeys. It made him a star. “I had about 50 offers the weekend after season 1 ofReacheropened [in 2022],” Ritchson says. “I knew my life had changed.”
Reacheris streaming now on Prime Video.Season 3 is expected to drop at the end of this year.Ritchson also stars inOrdinary AngelsalongsideHilary Swank.Ordinary Angelsis now playing in theaters.
When retired Military Police Officer Jack Reacher is arrested for a murder he did not commit, he finds himself in the middle of a deadly conspiracy full of dirty cops, shady businessmen and scheming politicians. With nothing but his wits, he must figure out what is happening in Margrave, Georgia. The first season of Reacher is based on the international bestseller The Killing Floor by Lee Child.
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