J.K. Simmons Joins JUSTICE LEAGUE as Jim Gordon

Those holding out hope that J.K. Simmons would return to the Spider-Man universe are bound to be disappointed, but J.K. Simmons has just joined the cast of Warner Bros’ Justice League project opposite Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, and Gal Gadot.

Simmons will play Commissioner James Gordon, and it’s fairly easy to assume this is a multi-picture deal that includes the upcoming solo films for Affleck’s Batman as well. After winning an Oscar for his role in Whiplash, Simmons has been working steadily, with eight films and a television show in 2016 alone (and he just completed work on the animated Gravity Falls, which ended just a few weeks ago).

Simmons made his mark in the superhero film category with his portrayal of Daily Bugle editor J. Jonah Jameson in the Spider-Man trilogy directed by Sam Raimi (pre-Sony/Marvel deal, pre-reboot). A Change.org fan petition to bring Simmons back to the role in the new film has garnered only 86 signatures, and Simmons acknowledges that nothing official from Sony or Marvel was in the works.

Now, it appears as if Tom Holland’s Peter Parker will square off against a new Jameson, while Simmons crosses over to the Distinguished Competition for at least three movies (speculation on the number).

Justice League begins filming in April for a two-part release. Part One will hit theaters November 17, 2017, and Part Two is out June 14, 2019. Oscar winner Chris Terrio wrote the screenplay.

[via The Hollywood Reporter]