The search for a Commissioner Gordon in Matt Reeves’ The Batman has narrowed in on a choice, and it is a controversial actor of color: James Bond and Westworld actor Jeffrey Wright.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the exclusive noting that Wright “is in negotiations to play Commissioner Gordon, the classic ally to the Dark Knight.” THR adds casting “is in the early stages” and Wright would be the first to join Robert Pattinson for what the report calls a “planned…grounded take” on the Caped Crusader.
Gotham Police Commissioner James Gordon needs no introduction to regular comic readers and fans of Batman. He’s been a staple of the comics from the beginning, all the way back to 1939 (since issue #27 of Detective Comics, at least). At times, he found himself caught up in Batman’s most dangerous escapades, such as Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke where he was a captive of The Joker. More recently he became Batman and fought against Mr. Bloom in a mech-suit.
Gordon has been part of the fold in other media since the 1960s TV show starring Adam West. Recently, JK Simmons portrayed him in Justice League and Ben McKenzie played a young version in Gotham. The best-remembered on-screen iterations are those by Pat Hingle in Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher’s movies, Gary Oldman in Christopher Nolan’s films, and that of Batman: The Animated Series voiced by Bob Hastings. (Related: Batman Forever Director Joel Schumacher: Batman and Robin Are Not Gay)
Wright appears this year in The Goldfinch, a Warner Bros. adaptation, and Steven Soderbergh’s The Laundromat. He is also returning to James Bond for No Time To Die and is slated for the quirky director Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch.
Our readers will remember Jeffrey Wright made headlines for comments he made in May. Wright tweeted there is “only power” and everyone on the right better “f****** duck” when the left gains power. He also called for Donald Trump’s impeachment. (Related: James Bond and Westworld Actor Jeffrey Wright Warns ”Everybody Else F****** Duck” When His Side Gets The Power)
Matt Reeves was rumored to be targeting another person of color to play Gordon: Oscar winner Mahershala Ali. In either case, this casting news appears to confirm Comic Book Cast’s theory that The Batman is a total reboot. (Related — Theory: Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson’s The Batman Is A Reboot of the Character)
Starring Robert Pattinson up against a reported “who’s who of” villains, The Batman is due out June 25, 2021.