Interview with Alan Ritchson

myFanbase had the opportunity to ask Alan Ritchson a couple of questions about his new projects, the relationships on the set of the hit series "Smallville" and much more. By now, he starred in the episodes #5.04 Aqua and #6.11 Justice.

The interview is © myFanbase 2007. Please do not copy it to other websites or message boards.

1. Besides being an actor, you're also a songwriter and singer. Which of these do you like to do most and do you still work as a singer/songwriter?

I enjoy both music and the acting equally. They are two very different worlds for me. Right now I am making the acting world my focus, although I am still doing a lot of songwriting, particularly for a movie called "Rex" in which I play the lead role of Chase. You can also find me singing around LA from time to time.

2. There are a couple of new projects you have, for example "Beowulf" with Angelina Jolie and Anthony Hopkins which is going to be released here in November 2007. What can you tell us about them?

"Beowulf" has been a wonderful project to be a part of. I was involved in all the animation of Beowulf which was long tedious work, but very, very interesting. It's amazing to see yourself become a 3-D image almost instantaneously. Aside from the amazing technology involved there was some amazing people involved as well. I was fortunate, to say the least, to work on such a project so early in my career.

Some other movies yet to be released include "Steam", and "Rex". In "Steam", I play a young man, Roy, who gets involved with an older woman, Laurie (played by Ally Sheedy,) who is going through a bit of a mid-life crisis. The story is really well done and drew me in from the beginning. It weaves the lives of three very different women together, who share their own personal stories, learn things about themselves they didn't know before and discover how simlilar their lives actually are.

In "Rex" I play a small-town farmboy, Chase, from the little town of Rex, Georgia. After losing everything, he starts a small time meth lab to try and save his farm and what's left of his life. When a crooked sheriff and some mafioso types find out what Chase has been up to, things turn chaotic fast.

Both "Steam" and "Rex" should be released early in 2008, and I am eagerly looking forward to both.

3. What advantages or disadvantages do you see between shooting movies and shooting shows?

I don't like to think of one or the other as having disadvantages. I think they are just very different forms of capturing a story. I will say I prefer movies over TV because I feel you are able to look deeper into a character and a story. I feel there is a freedom in shooting movies when it comes to what the actor has to offer.

4. You played Aquaman in two episodes of "Smallville". How was it to jump into this "family" who has known each other for five years?

The whole cast and crew immediately took me under there wing. I felt like part of the family as soon as I walked on set. I think that positive energy is one of the reasons that show is still so successful.

5. Had you known anything about your character or comic books in general before you landed the role of Aquaman?

I knew very little I must say. I did quite a bit of research to find out where this guy came from and who he was.

6. As we all know, Justin Hartley was supposed to be Aquaman in his own TV show, but this one wasn't greenlighted. In "Smallville"'s episode #6.11 Justice you two were seen on screen together. How was your first meeting and how were your reactions? Was there any rivalry between the two of you or other cast members?

Yeah the first time I laid eyes on him I knew I wanted to punch him in the face! Ha, just kidding. I met him the night before we were going to shoot our first scene together and knew right away it was going to be a fun few weeks. I like the guy a lot and enjoyed hanging out with him on and off the set. In fact I owe him one 'cause he just gave me some great seats to a Dodgers game the other day.

I still hate him though..... (kidding again!)

7. Do you already know if you're going to appear in another "Smallville" episode?

Nope.

8. At the moment there is a plan to do a movie about the Justice League. If you had the chance, would you like to play Aquaman on the big screen, too?

Of course. I think there is an audience out there just starving for something epic like the Justice League to hit theaters. I would love to be a part of it. I guess we'll see what the future holds.

9. What are your dreams and plans for the future?

Oh oops.... ummm waiting to see what it holds??

10. Since myFanbase is a website dedicated to television shows, do you have a favorite one and do you follow "Smallville" at all?

My favorite show is "The Office". Followed closely by "Scrubs". And "Talk Soup" feeds the belly of my mind in a close third.

Elsa Claus - myFanbase