Forget Batman, Alan Ritchson Is The Perfect Casting Choice To Play An Iconic X-Men Hero In The MCU Instead

Even though he has been a popular fan-cast for the DCU’s new Batman, Alan Ritchson is actually a perfect match for a legendary mutant hero in Marvel Studios’ upcoming X-Men reboot. Best known for his roles in Smallville, Titans and Reacher, Alan Ritchson has become a hugely popular name when fan-casting some of Marvel and DC’s most powerful heroes. Most notably, Ritchson revealed that he “would absolutely love to” play Bruce Wayne’s Batman in the DCU’s The Brave and the Bold (via Men’s Health), but he might be a better fit for an iconic Marvel hero in the MCU.

Alan Ritchson’s experience within the world of DC’s live-action adaptations, most notably as Arthur Curry’s Aquaman in Smallville and as Hank Hall’s Hawk in Titans, Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow, perhaps makes a role in the DCU more likely for the actor. However, Marvel Studios’ confirmation regarding the development of an X-Men reboot for the MCU opens the door for many new actors to join the MCU as some of Marvel Comics’ most recognizable heroes. Alan Ritchson could be one of these actors, and some believe they’ve worked out his perfect X-Men role.

Alan Ritchson Is The Perfect Choice To Play Hank McCoy’s Beast

Alan Ritchson Fits The Brief Of Beast Perfectly

As pointed out by some MCU fans on X, Alan Ritchson would be an inspired casting choice for Hank McCoy’s Beast in the MCU’s X-Men reboot. Beast, as well as being one of the longest-running and most recognizable members of the X-Men, is a complex and versatile character in Marvel Comics, which would provide Ritchson with the opportunity to show off all his acting talents. On the surface, Ritchson’s muscular physique fits Beast perfectly, and Ritchson’s rich vocal tone would work brilliantly for the blue-haired mutant hero.

Beneath the muscular, animalistic exterior, however, Hank McCoy’s Beast is often depicted as an approachable, caring and gentle character. Alan Ritchson has shown the ability to fulfill these criteria in many of his previous roles, specifically in Reacher, in which Ritchson portrays the titular Jack Reacher, a man with incredible strength who fights criminals to protect those in need. Alan Ritchson has the opportunity to deliver the most comic-accurate live-action depiction of Beast ever, following in the footsteps of Kelsey Grammer and Nicholas Hoult.

Alan Ritchson’s Beast Could Lean More Into The Hero’s Animalistic Qualities

Kelsey Grammer & Nicholas Hoult Only Scratched The Surface Of Beast’s More Aggressive Traits

Alan Ritchson typically takes on hardened, tough and gruff characters, which presents the chance for Marvel Studios to show sides of Hank McCoy’s Beast that have never been seen on-screen before. Kelsey Grammer and Nicholas Hoult’s versions of Beast only scratched the surface of the animalistic nature of the hero, but Ritchson could take this to the extreme. His action-heavy roles in projects such as Reacher, Fast X and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare prove he’d be adept at delivering Beast’s more unhinged moments.

Kelsey Grammer briefly exhibited these more animalistic qualities as Beast in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, while the slender and unassuming Nicholas Hoult never really tapped into this side of the hero. Marvel Studios will surely want to recreate the character completely for the MCU, and introducing more brutal and aggressive sides to the gentle mutant is the perfect way to differentiate Beast from his depictions in 20th Century Fox’s X-Men franchise. Alan Ritchson would be a fantastic casting choice to suit this brief.

Beast Could Be A Huge Part Of The MCU’s X-Men Stories

Beast Was A Founding Member Of The X-Men In Marvel Comics

Alan Ritchson has gained a huge amount of popularity and notability in recent years, so casting him as Hank McCoy’s Beast in the MCU would be a great way to cement the character as a key member of the MCU’s X-Men stories. This should be the case, as Beast was a founding member of the X-Men team in Marvel Comics, introduced back in 1963’s X-Men #1 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Beast has never been used properly in live-action, so it would be great to see him get developed fully in the MCU.

There has been widespread speculation regarding the line-up of the MCU’s first X-Men team, with the likes of Professor X, Wolverine, Storm, Rogue and Gambit expected to be recast. Beast is an essential member of the team in Marvel Comics, and, more recently, in Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 series, so this should be translated into live-action. Alan Ritchson is perhaps the perfect actor to take on this demanding and complex role, fitting the physical requirements of Beast, but also bringing a lovability and tenderness to Marvel Studios’ X-Men movie.

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