Alan Ritchson has commented about his action-packed role on the upcoming Amazon Prime series Reacher, comparing his job to his first-ever role as Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman on Smallville. Long before Jason Momoa became known as the King of Atlantis, the soggy superhero made his first live-action appearance in the Superman prequel series starring Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum. Ritchson made his acting debut in this film, and went on to play Raphael in the 2014 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles remake and sequel, as well as Hank Hall, a.k.a. Hawk in Titans.

Ritchson rose to prominence as one of the American Idol competitors. He was among the top 87 competitors. He was then cast as an actor and has since starred in a number of notable action roles.

Alan talked about his recent action role and the numerous things he’s learned since his time on Smallville in a recent interview with Flickering Myth. He was obliged to analyze and alter the way he is used to fighting on screen, implying that there is a “surgical precision” to the way his new character fights.

“I started as Aquaman on Smallville. That was my first gig. And that’s where I got to taste playing a superhero. It was much more overwhelming than you know. I learned how to do my first rig, being pulled on wires. I didn’t have a lot of experience with that. It’s funny now looking back and seeing how much there was to learn.

“Reacher is different because there’s like a surgical precision to the way he moves and fights. When you’re using the back of your head to punch somebody, you have to figure out how to do that. So, we really had to deconstruct how I’m used to fighting, like a brawler, which can be a little ambiguous or wide or broad.”

Despite the fact that the actor was overwhelmed by his time on Smallville, it appears that the experience taught him a few tactics that he still uses today.

Ritchson was cast in the character of former US Army military police officer Jack Reacher in a new TV series based on Lee Pace’s best-selling novels in September 2020. The part has previously been played by legendary action star Tom Cruise, however fans of the novels were quick to criticize his casting in the role due to the character’s description as a 6’5″ “unstoppable force.” The first season of Amazon’s adaptation of Jack Reacher has just recently debuted on the Prime Video streaming platform, and it has already received favorable feedback for its more true portrayal of the original material.

Many people believe that the adaption is more faithful to the true story as detailed in the novels.

While there is no indication that Amazon would pursue more seasons of Reacher, there is plenty of source material for the program to continue for years if they so want. Ritchson will surely be able to draw on his vast past as a two-time DC superhero, a Ninja Turtle, and a Hunger Games tribute if and when Amazon decides to greenlight a second season. Meanwhile, fans can see Ritchson’s newest stint as an action hero in Reacher season 1, which is presently available on Amazon Prime Video.