Wasted Superhero Potential: Reacher Exposes DC's Missed Opportunity with Alan Ritchson

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Reacher and Titans! As Reacher season 2 draws near, it becomes increasingly apparent that Titans failed to fully utilize Alan Erichsens' potential. Bringing well-established characters with rich source material to the screen can be quite the challenge. However, it also presents an opportunity to create a memorable action hero, which makes it even more interesting when one project succeeds while the other falters – especially when the same actor is involved. This is the case with Alan Ritchson, who plays roles in both Titans and Reacher.

Reacher, an action-crime series based on Lee Child's beloved novels, revolves around the story of Jack Reacher (portrayed by Ritchson), a former military police officer who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy. Titans, on the other hand, takes inspiration from DC's Teen Titans comics and follows a group of young superheroes and their battle-weary allies, including Ritchson's character Hank Hall, also known as Hawk, a vigilante crime fighter. Both Hawk and Jack Reacher are renowned for their power and brutality, but the success of Reacher clearly demonstrates that Titans failed to fully harness Ritchson's talents.

Reacher Shows Alan Ritchson's DC Hero Could Have Been So Much More

Reacher and Hawk share similar approaches to problem-solving, both relying on direct and forceful methods. While Dove balances Hawk's aggression, Reacher, an ex-military cop, possesses impressive fighting skills, though he has proven he is not invincible. Initially appearing as two-dimensional characters, their complexities are gradually unveiled throughout the series, often aided by foil characters like Titans' Dove or Reacher's Roscoe.

However, Ritchson's portrayal of Reacher in Reacher only emphasizes how much more potential his character could have had as Hawk in Titans. In Titans, Hawk is relegated to more of a peripheral role, primarily tied to his relationship with Dawn. While this narrative element is not inherently negative, it limits the exploration of Hawk's individuality. Furthermore, Hawk's lack of character development is further exacerbated by how he is frequently used to advance the overarching plot of the show. In Season 3 of Titans, Hawk falls into a trap and is killed, abruptly ending his story before it truly begins.

Reacher Proves Alan Ritchson Should Lead A Superhero Project

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The character development of Hawk and Reacher showcases the distinct differences that prove Ritchson's ability to handle more intense superhero storylines. He goes beyond being a minor character and possesses the talent to bring a captivating hero to life, while also delivering the necessary thrilling action sequences for action-packed projects. Moreover, Reacher demonstrates Ritchson's knack for witty dialogue and his capability to portray a charismatic character who is enjoyable to watch, rather than being limited to just fighting villains.

Furthermore, in Reacher, Ritchson demonstrates his ability to infuse emotional depth into a hero and handle the kind of intricate character arc required in modern superhero projects. These projects often focus on heroes facing the consequences of their actions in a complex world. While Titans' Hawk never had the opportunity to develop into such a character, mostly due to his partnership with Dove and untimely demise, Ritchson's convincing portrayal of Reacher's troubled past showcases his prowess in capturing emotional nuances.

Alan Ritchson's Titans Role Could Hurt His Superhero Future

Ritchson's breakout role in Reacher might hinder his chances of securing a role in the DC Universe (DCU) due to his involvement in Titans. If Ritchson were to be cast as another DC character, it could potentially create complications within DC's cinematic canon, which the studio probably wants to avoid, especially after The Flash's disastrous performance at the box office. Historically, DC has been hesitant to reference its television shows in its films, which could pose challenges if they were to bring back Hawk or introduce an alternate version of the character. Nevertheless, this doesn't mean that Ritchson's superhero career has come to an end; there is always the possibility of him joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.