If things had gone differently alan ritchson, Marvel fans would call him the God of Thunder.In an interview with men’s health‘s Next March cover story, Reacher The 41-year-old star revealed that he applied for the role of Marvel’s Thor after auditioning for a number of high-profile superhero and action hero roles throughout his career.
Looking back on his audition for the 2011 film that introduced Thor to Marvel’s evolving Marvel Cinematic Universe, Ritchson said he thought he would get the lead role because of his looks and couldn’t give his all to the audition. admitted that.
“I didn’t take it seriously,” Ritchson says of the audition. “I thought, ‘If I looked like this guy, I’d be cast in roles, no one would care about acting.'” Later, the casting team told the actor’s rep that Ritchson was “talented.” He said he did not show that he had one. He admits that this failure has bothered him for several years.
As all comic book movie fans know, the role ultimately went to the then-newcomer. chris hemsworththe last time the Norse god was portrayed was in the 2022 film. Thor: Love and Thunder.
As for Ritchson, he has become a familiar face to avid TV viewers who caught him starring as Aquaman. small building in 2005 before Justin Hartley took over the recurring role later in the series.He landed a multi-season appearance on the Spike TV sitcom Bulman Universitymade brief appearances in several major series including: black mirror, new womanand Brooklyn Nine-NineHe played the role of Hank Hall/Hawk in the movie. titans Before playing the lead role in Reacher.
“We had about 50 offers the weekend after Season 1 ended.” Reacher “We’re open,” Ritchson said. “I realized that my life had changed.”
But despite the success of the Prime Video series, the actor says: men’s health He knows better than to give Hollywood’s fickle nature credit. “This industry is funny. It’s unpredictable. You have to be very patient,” Ritchson said.
There are other things the actor is focusing on, including learning how to cope with bipolar disorder in everyday life and even at work.
Ritchson was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at the age of 36, and in addition to seeing a psychiatrist weekly to assess his symptoms, Ritchson, his wife of nearly 20 years, and his assistant have also been very understanding. He revealed that he was there. Know what to look for when it comes to disorders and how to deal with episodes.
Ritchson explains that he experiences mania more often than depression, and says his symptoms can manifest in problematic ways on set.
“When I’m depressed, I don’t really care because I’m focused on work. I’ve sometimes gone weeks without people noticing that I’m feeling a certain way. ” he says. “When I’m manic and feel like something isn’t working to its full potential, it’s usually a very — I don’t mean it in a mean way — way of saying, ‘This could be better.’ It’s a very, almost obsessive feeling that ‘this has to be better.’
Ritchson revealed that the show’s stunt coordinator resigned after the first season because he felt the star was too reckless and disobeyed instructions due to his episode. He recalls that when the coordinators did not want him to perform a fight scene, he refused to leave the set.around men’s healththe coordinator eventually agreed to return to the show.
While it may seem like an overwhelming obstacle to his work, Ritchson says he’s found great purpose in talking about his mental health on his YouTube channel. He hopes that by sharing his story, others will feel less alone in the tunnel of mental illness, just as it helped him through a period of suicidal thoughts.
It also helps that he has built a loving life with his wife and three sons outside of acting.
In a post he shared on Instagram on Valentine’s Day, the actor shared a sweet poem to Catherine along with a photo of the two from their wedding day.
“My beautiful bride. Happy day of love. You have given my life meaning and purpose beyond the temporary and joyful,” he wrote. “You stretch my soul past the important and into the essential. I feel eternity on your lips, know eternity in your embrace. And I will always be your servant. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“I can’t wait to be reminded of this poem after my next argument!!!!!!” Duchess Kate hilariously responded in the comments section of the post.
Ritchson’s cover story will be available at: men’s health‘s March-April issue will be on newsstands on March 5th.
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