J.K. Simmons to play Commissioner Gordon in 'Justice League'

You can add another famous name to the list of big name Hollywood stars joining Warner Bros. DC Extended Universe, as Academy Award winning actor J.K. Simmons has been cast in the coveted role of Commissioner James Gordon, and he’ll be making his first appearance as Batman’s ally in the upcoming “Justice League” film.

Announced first by The Hollywood Reporter, Simmons joins a long legacy of talents who have played the iconic role of Gotham City’s leading police officer, with the likes of Neil Hamilton from the 1960’s Batman TV Series, Pat Hingle in the Burton and Schumacher Batman films, and recently Gary Oldman fro Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy of films being among those who have stood and fought by the Caped Crusader’s side. Currently, Ben McKenzie plays a younger Jim Gordon in Fox’s “Gotham” TV Series, which acts as a prequel chapter that chronicles the rise of the super-villain wave that occupies the city well before a certain Dark Knight emerges to bring justice and hope back to its denizens.

While he is the latest face attached to Commissioner Gordon, Simmons is no stranger to playing comic book roles at all. He is famously known for his stint as J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man Trilogy, expertly bringing to life the publisher and editor in chief of the Daily Bugle who has a serious hate and jealousy problem with the Wall-Crawler. He also lent his voice talents to the Justice League Unlimited TV Series, playing General Wade Eiling – a member of Project Cadmus who secretly works against the Justice League and doesn’t trust their actions one bit. Simmons is also best known for his Acaedmy Award winning performance for the 2014 movie “Whiplash”, which he won the 2015 Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for that film.

While no other details have been revealed on what exactly his Commissioner Gordon will do when he makes his debut in “Justice League: Part One” come November 2017, there’s a good chance that Simmons will be interacting with Ben Affleck’s Batman to work together to clean up the streets of Gotham City and beyond. It’s unexpected casting news, but certainly a good one for those who know the man’s work in Hollywood. — TJD, GMA News