'Reacher' star Alan Ritchson said he nearly played Thor, but lost to Chris Hemsworth because he didn't take acting seriously

• Alan Ritchson said he almost played Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• The "Reacher" star lost out to Chris Hemsworth because he didn't take acting seriously, he said.

"Reacher" star Alan Ritchson said he almost played Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but lost out to Chris Hemsworth because he didn't take acting seriously.

In 2022, Ritchson debuted as Jack Reacher in the Amazon series based on the beloved "Reacher" novels by author Lee Child. Although the actor has previously starred in shows including "Smallville," "Blue Mountain State," and "Titans," his role as the former military investigator has pushed his fame to new heights.

But Ritchson might have become a household name much sooner if he'd taken an audition for Marvel's "Thor" more seriously.

When speaking to Men's Health for the publication's March/April cover story, Ritchson recalled his brush with the MCU for 2011's "Thor" movie. He explained that he thought he'd get the role for simply looking like the Asgardian god.

"I didn't take it seriously," Ritchson said. "I was like, 'They'll throw me the part if I look like the guy; nobody really cares about acting.' "

As fans already know, the role went to Hemsworth — who went on to wield the hero's iconic hammer in four separate "Thor" movies and four "Avengers" movies.

Ritchson said the Marvel casting team told his representatives that he had a chance at the role, but he lacked "the craft" to see it through.

Over the next decade, Ritchson went to acting classes and collected roles in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," "New Girl," and "Brooklyn Nine-Nine."

But it wasn't until "Reacher" arrived on Amazon in 2022 that Ritchson's career really started to progress. He said: "I had about 50 offers the weekend after season 1 of Reacher opened [in 2022]. I knew my life had changed."

The first season impressed audiences and critics alike, getting a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising the actor's performance.

He also told Men's Health that he would refuse to let stunt coordinators step in for his action scenes, saying: "I was like, 'I'm doing the fucking stunt.' It was manic behavior."

When Ritchson reprised the role for "Reacher" season two, it exceeded expectations and earned itself a 98% rating on the review site.

It's no surprise, then, that "Reacher" season three is already in production. So it won't be long before the unstoppable one-man army will return to our screens.