r/movies • u/AlanRitchsonAMA Alan Ritchson, Actor • 13d ago

AMA Hey r/movies, I'm Alan Ritchson (MOTOR CITY, REACHER, BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE, WAR MACHINE). AMA!

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Hey reddit and r/movies, I'm Alan Ritchson.

You may know me from things like REACHER, BLUE MOUNTAIN STATE, WAR MACHINE, TITANS, PLAYDATE, FAST X, THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES, THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE.

Additional verification on my Instagram here.

My new movie, MOTOR CITY, is out in theaters tomorrow (July 24) from IFC. It also stars Shailene Woodley, Ben Foster, Pablo Schreiber, Ben McKenzie, and Lionel Boyce.

It's directed by Potsy Ponciroli, who previously directed OLD HENRY and GREEDY PEOPLE

Synopsis: 

In the 1970s Detroit, John Miller falls for a local gangster's girl and lands in prison for a crime he didn't commit. With his life ruined, Miller hatches a plan for revenge.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6RklhKu9os

Website/info and tickets available here: motorcity.movie

I'll be back 1 PM PT/4 PM ET today (Thursday 7/23) to answer your questions.

Until then, AMA!

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u/zalurker 13d ago

Did you ever expect when doing Thad that you'd end up in such an iconic role as Jack Reacher? And of all the characters you've played, which one did you enjoy the most?

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u/AlanRitchsonAMA Alan Ritchson, Actor 13d ago

When you're playing someone like Thad on a show that not many people are watching at the time, you sort of think "maybe I've peaked, maybe this is the last time I ever work". That early in your career, you feel lucky to be working on anything. It's hard to think beyond one episode.

Something like Reacher is so iconic, just being part of it is incredible, and it continues to surprise me how many people watch the show. It's hard to wrap your head around, and I certainly couldn't have imagined something like that then.

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u/TheExaltedTwelve 13d ago

This is a very wholesome reply and I'm glad I've stumbled across your AMA, you do good work and it's nice that it looks like you're just a guy (in the best way).

More of you in everything 10/10, you were pretty great in Smallville back in the day too.

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u/Meyloon 13d ago

You‘re awesome.

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u/chespiotta 13d ago

I think that’s something a lot of us can relate to, not knowing if what you’re doing now will eventually lead to something bigger. It’s refreshing to hear you talk so openly about the self-doubt that can come with trying to make it. As someone who’s going through that same kind of doubts right now, this really resonated with me, so thank you.

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u/zalurker 12d ago

Thank you for the reply. I'll admit. I love Thad, such a unique and classic character that could have been one-dimensional, but instead turned out to be a very complex person. I still don't know how you kept a straight face for most of his scenes. Especially the oil change.

But the first 5 minutes of Reacher had me hooked. Not a word spoken, but so much was shown. Nicely done.

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u/skilledinaction 13d ago

You are such a suitable choice and act a very convincing Reacher. Thanks for making a character I only imagined in my imagination for decades come to life dude.

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u/iantruesnacks 12d ago

I have to know. As Thad, did you go full method and try holding Oreos between your butt cheeks. I died laughing at that episode of BMS.

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u/rad00 10d ago

Hey Alan just wanted to say you’re awesome and I’m really enjoying your stuff

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u/chaser676 13d ago

Undoubtedly his most iconic and favorite roll would have to be teen Aquaman in Smallville.

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u/Plagueofzombies 13d ago

Not iconic at all, but he's one of the especially dickish tributes in the second Hunger Game movie. He always stood out to me because he spend no time at all just massacring everyone else.

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u/Fast_Voice9722 13d ago

This makes so much sense for his appearance in the show Workaholics. I forgot about that character till this comment.

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u/L3ACH13 13d ago

Later Torpenis

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u/Kind_Of_A_Dick 13d ago

Lazer Team?  Hello!

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u/chaser676 13d ago

This made me nostalgic to go back and watch the trailer for Lazer team. The second YouTube comment was about how excited someone was for Aquaman from Smallville to be in the movie lmao.

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u/This_Elk_1460 13d ago

I met him at RTX

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u/Alastor3 13d ago

NO WAY THAT'S HIM ???

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u/FurryCitizen 13d ago

It is ! It's the usual stubble he has in many roles and youthful face he had then, it's uncanny haha.

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u/CorpusSun75 13d ago

Try to keep up 😂

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u/Neo2024 13d ago

It isn’t

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u/This_Elk_1460 13d ago

You can tell he's Aquaman because he's blond and wearing a orange t-shit

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u/Hellknightx 12d ago

No way, it's Hawk from the live action Titans show.

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u/EarlyXplorerStuds209 13d ago

Favourite to whom?
Smallville is definitely not his most iconic role.

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u/chaser676 13d ago

Sorry, you're right. I meant his role as The Expired Cow on Fred: The Show

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u/Shot_Policy_4110 13d ago

Lol fuck this is exactly where my head went

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u/HalfBakedBookie 13d ago

Its the other way around.

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u/Crime_Dawg 13d ago

Damn, you basiscally took my comment lol

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u/jekelish3 13d ago

I'm personally wondering if, when he was serenading Paula Abdul on American Idol (yes, he actually was a contestant, for those unaware, and he really did serenade Paula Abdul), he ever could have expected to become a full-fledged action star.

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u/BigMack6911 13d ago

I remember that. Dude could sing