JK Simmons On How His Commissioner Gordon Will Stand Apart

Formerly best known as J Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s ‘Spider-Man’ movies, JK Simmons is set to take on another iconic comic book role in Zack Snyder’s ‘Justice League.’

The ‘Whiplash’ Oscar-winner will follow on from Gary Oldman and the late Pat Hingle as the latest big screen incarnation of Batman ally Commissioner Gordon - and, as the actor explains to Entertainment Weekly, his version will be somewhat different.

“People of my generation remember Commissioner Gordon as this jolly, ineffectual Santa Claus type, and I think over the years in the comics there’s definitely much more of a badass side to him.

“One of the things that’s interesting to me is investigating hopefully a little bit more of that badass [side]… You’re living in a universe where it’s pretty tough to be a badass compared to somebody like Batman.

“But in the universe of non-superheroes I like the idea of Commissioner Gordon as a guy that can take care of himself, a guy that’s a real partner to Batman, not just a guy that turns on the bat signal and goes, ‘Help! Help, Batman!’”

Despite all this talk of badassery, Simmons last week denied that his new, shredded physique - the toast of the internet after photos of the 61-year old actor working out went viral in June - was specifically for ‘Justice League.’

The actor insisted he got in shape purely for himself, and had no intention of changing Jim Gordon’s look and character on screen, remarking, “I’m not going to mess with something that iconic.”

Simmons also confirms to EW he’s up more appearances in the DC Extended Universe, saying ‘Justice League’ has “been a fun experience, and knock wood, if it continues, then I’ll hopefully get to play Commissioner Gordon in a handful of movies.”

‘Justice League’ is scheduled to open 17 November 2017.

Picture Credit: CBS, Instagram

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