Alan Ritchson Rumoured for Symbiote Suit in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’
‘The Reacher Method’: Alan Ritchson Rumoured for Symbiote Suit in ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’
BURBANK, CA — The multiverse is about to get a lot more muscular. In a rumour that has "activated the internet like a symbiote bond," reports are surfacing that Alan Ritchson is in high-level talks to portray a Venom variant in the upcoming Marvel epic, Avengers: Secret Wars.
The speculation, which began as a whisper in late 2025 and exploded this week, suggests that Marvel Studios is looking to capitalize on Ritchson’s "immense physicality" to deliver a version of Eddie Brock that mirrors the towering, lethal powerhouse seen in the 1990s comics, a sharp contrast to Tom Hardy’s more neurotic "Lethal Protector."
The “Comic Accurate” Eddie Brock
For years, fans have campaigned for the Reacher star to jump into either the DCU or the MCU. While Ritchson recently confirmed he had conversations with James Gunn about a "messier" role in the DC Universe (ruling out Batman but teasing characters like Captain Atom or Wildcat), the latest buzz points toward a Marvel crossover.
Industry insiders suggest that Avengers: Secret Wars will feature a "Council of Venoms" or a Battleworld-based variant of the character. Unlike the Sony version, this variant is rumored to be a seasoned, brutal anti-hero who has already fully merged with his symbiote.
“I’ve always said I want to play someone a little dirtier than your typical clean-cut protagonist,” Ritchson told ScreenRant in a recent interview. “If I’m going to do the superhero thing, I want to get my hands dirty.”
The David Michelinie Endorsement
The rumor gained significant "street cred" earlier this year when David Michelinie, the co-creator of Venom himself, publicly endorsed the casting.
Speaking with fans on social media, Michelinie noted that Ritchson’s 6'3" frame and "menacing onscreen presence" make him the "perfect" physical match for the original Eddie Brock. “I once posted pics of Ritchson—shirtless and one of him yelling—and said he’d make the perfect Eddie/Venom,” Michelinie reportedly told TheDoctorX11.
A “Secret Wars” Showcase?
With Spider-Man: Brand New Day (the MCU's Spider-Man 4) slated for 31st July 2026, many have wondered how the symbiote left behind in No Way Home would manifest. While some theories suggest the suit will first go to Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, others believe Ritchson’s variant will be introduced during the multiversal collapse of Secret Wars as a foil to the younger Spider-Man.
The move would allow Marvel Studios to have its own "definitive" Venom without directly overwriting Tom Hardy’s popular trilogy, which recently concluded with The Last Dance.
The “Reacher” Schedule
Logistics remain the only major hurdle. Ritchson is currently filming Season 4 of Reacher for Prime Video, which is expected to premiere in late 2026. However, sources close to the production of Secret Wars indicate that Marvel is willing to work around the actor’s schedule for what is described as a "major, multi-picture presence" in the post-Secret Wars MCU.
As of today, neither Disney nor Ritchson’s representatives have confirmed a signed contract. But in a world where the multiverse makes anything possible, the sight of a "Jack Reacher-sized" Venom may be just one "We are Venom" growl away.
