The upcomingBatgirlmovie in development at HBO Max will be bringing back fan-favorite actorJ.K. Simmons to reprise the roleof Commissioner James Gordon. Previously playing the part inJustice Leaguealongside Ben Affleck’s Batman, Simmons originally signed on to play the role in multiple projects, but it had been unclear if we’d ever really see the character again. That changed recently when it was reported that Simmons had joined the cast ofBatgirl.
Simmons has now officially confirmed his return to the role of Commissioner Gordon on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz. He also spoke about how it felt when he was approached to reprise the character, also teasing that this time he’ll play a “more significant role” in the story. Simmons also says pre-production is beginning and the plan is to start filming his scenes in January.
“I was completely flabbergasted they came back to me recently and wanted me to be Commissioner Gordon again and have it be a more significant role. I’m looking forward to it. I think I’m going to get on the horn to [Leslie Grace] and the directors in the next couple of days and do little preliminary rehearsals. They start very soon and I jump on board sometime in January in Glasgow which is a wonderful place to shoot it as it’s Gothic.”
It would make sense for Jim Gordon to be featured heavily inBatgirl, as the character is the father of lead star Leslie Grace’s Barbara Gordon. Ahead ofJ.K. Simmons’ casting, Grace had pleaded for him to get on board as she was eager to work with him. It has, fortunately, all worked out and Simmons is just as excited to get involved to delve further into the Gordons’ story in the upcoming movie. It sounds like we’re going to be seeing a lot of Simmons as Gordon in the movie.
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“I’m excited to be the once and future Jim Gordon. I had a long discussion with the guys about how we want to portray him. It’s a really interesting take on introducing Batgirl and fleshing Jim Gordon out.”
After he was shown inJustice League, more footage of Simmons as Gordon was used inZack Snyder’s Justice League, which was released on HBO Max earlier this year. He has previously teased a desire to return to that role as he had signed on for multiple movies. Meanwhile, the Jim Gordon character will be on the big screen next year when Jeffrey Wright plays a new incarnation of the Commissioner in Matt Reeves’The Batmanalongside Robert Pattinson. Recently, a new look at Wright in character as the new Gordon was revealed.
Batgirlis reportedly planned to be released for streaming on HBO Max sometime in 2022. The movie is directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (Bad Boys for Life) with the screenplay coming wormBirds of PreyandThe Flashwriter Christina Hodson.
you may check out the interview with J.K. Simmons where he discussesBatgirlon theHappy Sad Confused podcast.
