'Justice League: Part One' News, Spoilers: J.K. Simmons on Playing Commissioner Gordon; Jesse Eisenberg to Reprise Role?
"Whiplash" actor J.K. Simmons, who takes on the iconic role of Commissioner Gordon in the upcoming "Justice League: Part One," says that while he has already seen most of the films in which the character appeared, he's not planning on basing his portrayal of Gordon on the cinematic versions of the comic book character.
As Simmons, who voiced the villain Kai in this year's "Kung Fu Panda 3," told Collider, he'd rather learn as much as he can through the DC Comics.
Simmons, who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2014 for his role as the intensely demanding conductor Terence Fletcher in "Whiplash," takes over the role of Commissioner Gordon from such actors as Gary Oldman and Pat Hingle. But while his appearance in "Justice League: Part One" marks his debut as a comic book character in a DC film, it's not his first foray into the world of superhero movies. Simmons famously played the Daily Bugle's grouchy publisher, J. Jonah Jameson, in the "Spider-Man" films helmed by Sam Raimi.
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But though Simmons' take on Jameson had a somewhat comedic spin, his Commissioner Gordon will be a decidedly more serious character.
"My understanding, from what I've learned so far about Commissioner Gordon, is that he's the older guy with the mustache who relates with our hero in a certain way," the actor told Collider. "Other than that, it's a vastly different character and much more of a stronger, impactful character in the DC universe."
"I'm just going to try to do my take on it and be as informed as I can about the rich history of the Batman universe, going into it," he added.
In "Justice League: Part One," the Oscar winner joins an ensemble cast that already includes Henry Cavill (Superman), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Ray Fisher (Cyborg), and Jason Momoa (Aquaman), all of whom appeared in this year's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice."
Speaking of "Dawn of Justice," fans have been speculating about whether or not Jesse Eisenberg, who played the villain Lex Luthor in that film, will be reprising his role in "Justice League."
In a recent interview with Business Insider, Eisenberg said: "I don't know if they are so settled on where my character goes. I only hope I have another opportunity to work with these wonderful people and play this interesting character."
"Justice League: Part One" is scheduled for release Nov. 17, 2017.
