Oscar winner J.K. Simmons has been cast as Commissioner Gordon in WB’s “Justice League,” an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap.
Simmons takes over the role from Gary Oldman, who played the police commissioner in Christopher Nolan‘s “Dark Knight” trilogy. The character also currently appears on the small screen, as Ben McKenzie plays Commissioner Gordon on Fox’s “Gotham.”
Simmons’ casting means he will not reprise his role as J. Jonah Jameson in Sony’s latest “Spider-Man” reboot starring Tom Holland, as had been hoped for by fans.
Zack Snyder is directing “Justice League,” which unites superheroes Batman (Ben Affleck), Superman (Henry Cavill), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), The Flash (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Fisher).
Charles Roven and Deborah Snyder are producing the two-part epic, which was written by Chris Terrio (“Argo”).
Warner Bros. will release “Justice League: Part One” on Nov. 17, 2017 and “Justice League: Part Two” on June 14, 2019.
Simmons next stars in “The Meddler” with Susan Sarandon and the Ryan Gosling–Emma Stone musical “La La Land,” which reteams the veteran actor with his “Whiplash” director Damien Chazelle. He also co-stars in “The Accountant” with Ben Affleck, “Bastards” with Ed Helms and “The Snowman” with Michael Fassbender.
Simmons can currently be heard voicing one of the animated characters in Disney’s “Zootopia,” and he’ll soon begin filming the Boston Marathon bombing drama “Patriots’ Day” with Mark Wahlberg.
Simmons is represented by the Gersh Agency, and his casting was first reported by THR.