Alan Ritchson Reveals He Auditioned for Robin on ‘Titans’ Before Huge Surprise

Alan Ritchson has carved out a niche for himself as a formidable action hero, but before he took on roles like Jack Reacher, he was vying for a very different part in the DC universe. His journey into the realm of superheroes took an unexpected turn that many fans might not be aware of.

This journey began with an audition that was tied to one of DC’s most beloved sidekicks. Ritchson has previously shared his early aspirations in the superhero genre, but a recent conversation at Comic-Con shed new light on how close he came to landing a different character entirely.

In an interview with Variety, Ritchson disclosed that he initially auditioned for the role of Robin in ‘Titans,’ the DC streaming series that debuted in 2018. He left the audition feeling so confident that he celebrated by purchasing a Tesla that same day, convinced that the role was his.

However, Ritchson’s confidence didn’t align with the casting team’s decision. He recounted receiving a call from the studio with a surprising twist: they wanted him for the show, but not as Robin. Instead, they offered him the role of Hank Hall, known as Hawk in the DC universe.

The character of Dick Grayson, who becomes Robin, ultimately went to Brenton Thwaites, who led the series as it followed a new generation of DC heroes. Ritchson has mentioned that he was deemed too old to portray Batman’s former sidekick, which explains the studio’s pivot to casting him as Hawk.

Ritchson went on to portray Hank Hall across several seasons of ‘Titans,’ teaming up with Minka Kelly’s Dawn Granger as the vigilante duo Hawk and Dove. He started as a recurring character before becoming a series regular, remaining with the show until his character’s storyline concluded.

This isn’t the only opportunity Ritchson nearly missed during that phase of his career. He has also revealed that he was close to securing the role of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he admitted to not taking the audition seriously enough, leading to the part being awarded to Chris Hemsworth instead.

Despite missing out on both Robin and Thor, Ritchson’s superhero credentials have remained strong. He previously played Aquaman in ‘Smallville’ before his time on ‘Titans,’ establishing himself as a recognizable figure in genre television long before he became one of the most sought-after action stars on streaming platforms.

Reflecting on his audition for Robin has become a well-known story among fans of Ritchson’s work, and hearing him recount it at Comic-Con adds a new dimension to what could have been. Had that audition gone as he anticipated, ‘Titans’ might have unfolded quite differently.

For an actor known for portraying some of TV’s most physically imposing characters, this serves as a reminder that even the most confident auditions don’t always lead to the expected results. What are your thoughts on Alan Ritchson almost playing Robin instead of Hawk on ‘Titans’? Share your opinions in the comments.