Despite the lackluster response to Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, moviegoers and comic book fans alike are eagerly anticipating what is next for the DC Extended Universe. While we've been following the MCU for eight years, we nerds are still hoping that the DC equivalent will stand on its own two feet and give Marvel some competition. While our next trip into the DCEU will be Suicide Squad in August, fans are already looking forward to Zack Snyder's superhero team up film Justice League. That film will assemble the ensemble cast of heroes and allies, including Cyborg, The Flash, and Aquaman. But one of the most exciting new additions to the DCEU is Batman's buddy Commissioner Gordon, who will be played by a super ripped J.K. Simmons.
J.K. Simmons has always been an actor who put his unique perspective on his characters, so it should be exciting to see what he does with Jim Gordon. The Academy Award winning actor recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly, where he revealed his approach to the Commissioner.
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!'
Honestly, this sounds pretty unbelievable. Who doesn't want to see J.K. Simmons using his newfound giant biceps to take down some Gotham City criminals? No one.
J.K. Simmons is pretty spot on regarding the problem with Commissioner Gordon's image. When referencing his generation, he's probably talking about the Gordon from Adam West's live action Batman series. That series as a whole was pretty campy and silly, so obviously Jim Gordon was equally bumbling. Then we have the Gordon from the 90's Batman movies, who was inept and out of shape. This is a stark transition from the Gotham City commissioner who is present in the comics. That Jim Gordon is physically fit and a great shot. Sure, the Gordon in Fox's Gotham TV series is young and ready for action, but by and large he hasn't been exactly a badass. Until now.
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that Commissioner Gordon would be a little more kickass in Justice League. Zack Snyder's take on Batman included a young and tough Alfred Pennyworth, so I can't imagine the awesomeness that an actual police officer is going to bring to the DCEU.
Are you ready for a badass Gordon to hit the big screen? Sound off in the comments below.
