If things had been different for Alan Ritchson, Marvel fans would call him the God of Thunder. In an interview for Men's health's next March cover story, the Reacher The star, 41, revealed that among the many notable superhero and action hero roles he auditioned for throughout his career, he was up for the role of Marvel's Thor.
Recounting his audition for the 2011 film that introduced Thor to Marvel's evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ritchson admits that because of his appearance, he thought he would be a shoo-in for the lead role and didn't give it his all in the audition.
“I didn't take it seriously,” Ritchson remembers of the audition. “I thought, 'I'll get the part if I look like the guy; no one really cares about acting.'” The casting team later told the actor's representatives that Ritchson had not proven that he had “the craft.” a mistake he admits to having plagued him with for several years.
As all comic book movie fans know, the role ultimately fell to then-newcomer. Chris Hemsworthwho last played the Norse god in 2022 Thor: love and thunder.
As for Ritchson, he has become a familiar face to avid television viewers who have seen the actor as Aquaman in smallville in 2005 before Justin Hartley took on the recurring role later in the series. He landed a multi-season run on the Spike TV comedy. Blue Mountain StateHe made brief appearances in several major series, including black mirror, new girland Brooklyn nine nineand starred as Hank Hall/Hawk in Titans before landing his starring role in Reacher.
“I had about 50 offers the weekend after season 1 of Reacher opened,” Ritchson says. “I knew my life had changed.”
But even with the success of the Prime Video series, the actor has Men's health who knows not to trust the often fickle nature of Hollywood. “The industry is fun. You can't trust it. You have to be very patient with it,” Ritchson says.
There are other issues the actor is focused on, including learning to manage his bipolar disorder during his daily life and even at work.
Ritchson was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when he was 36, and the star shares that he sees a psychiatrist who checks for any symptoms every week, while his wife of nearly 20 years, Catherine Ritchson, and her assistant, who have a deep understanding of the disorder, know what to look for and how to help manage any episode.
Explaining that he experiences more manic episodes than depressive periods, Ritchson says he can problematically exhibit symptoms on set.
“When I feel depressed, it doesn't really matter, because I'm so focused on work. I could go weeks without people knowing that I feel a certain way,” he shares. “When I'm manic and I feel like something isn't living up to its best potential, it usually comes out in a very, not bad way, but in a 'this has to be better' way. A very, almost obsessive 'this has to be better.'”
Ritchson reveals that his episodes previously led to the show's stunt coordinator quitting after the first season because he felt the star was being too reckless and not following his instructions. He remembers that when the coordinator didn't want him to do a fight scene, he refused to leave the set. By Men's healththe coordinator finally agreed to return to the show.
While it may seem like an overwhelming obstacle to her work, Ritchson says she has found a greater purpose in talking about her mental health on her YouTube channel. He hopes that sharing his experiences can make others feel less alone in their own tunnels of mental illness, just as doing so has brought him out of periods of suicidal ideation.
It also helps that he has built a love life in addition to acting with his wife and three children.
In a post shared on Instagram on Valentine's Day, the actor shared a sweet poem for Catherine along with a photo of the two of them on their wedding day.
“My beautiful girlfriend. Happy day of love. You give my life meaning and purpose beyond the temporary and entertaining,” he wrote. “You reach beyond what is important and extend my soul towards what is essential. I have felt eternity on your lips and I have known it forever in your embrace. Forever and ever I will be your servant. Happy Valentine's Day.”
“I can't wait to remind you of this poem after our next discussion!!!” Catherine hilariously responded in the comments of the post.
Ritchson's cover story will be available when Men's healthThe March-April edition will hit newsstands on March 5.
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