While DC fans may be pining for Reacher star Alan Ritchson to play Batman in James Gunn’s DCU, it’s a little-known fact that the 41-year-old has actually played an iconic DC superhero before.

alan ritchson aquaman

Almost 20 years ago, Ritchson made his acting debut on the hit The CW (then UPN) series Smallville, and he did so as Arthur Curry / Aquaman.

In fact, as legend has it, Ritchson was actually being considered to star in a spinoff series about the famed underwater hero, although it (perhaps luckily) never came to fruition.

Given Ritchson’s growing fame in recent years, though, fans are beginning to realize that he not only once played Aquaman, but he did so in quite a funny costume, as well.

Speaking to BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast ahead of the release of his new film Ordinary Angels, Ritchson basically said that he can’t help but cringe when looking back on photos of himself in the Aquaman suit.

“What comes to mind first is how fast and far I can run from all civilization when I see myself in that orange head-to-toe Speedo, zipped up the middle,” Ritchson joked.

“I see those pictures and I kind of can’t believe anybody thought it was a good idea to dress me like that and photograph me with that ensemble.

When you’re just starting out, you do not feel like you have a voice or permission to say anything, so I just never questioned a thing and I wish I had. That Speedo was scary,” he said.

Ordinary Angels, which also stars two-time Academy Award winner Hillary Swank, will be released in movie theaters on Thursday, February 22.

As for potentially playing Batman one day, Ritchson wisely told us that he would “absolutely love” to take on the iconic role of the Dark Knight.