Justice League’s J.K. Simmons Explains Viral Workout Photos And His Jim Gordon Look

Actor J.K. Simmons has been cast as Commissioner Gordon in Warner Bros. upcoming Justice League, a casting that was met with a warm reception from the enthusiast community when it was originally announced.

Then recently some pictures of the actor in the gym popped up online, showing the actor extremely buff with a full beard, a look that most don’t associate with the character. Many thought it might be a new look for the film specifically, but in an interview with Business Insider, he put those fears to rest.

“This is all coincidental. After the second and final time that I got hugely fat in my life and when I lost that weight six or seven years ago, I pretty much decided that I was going to stay in decent shape for the rest of my life.”

Simmons assured fans that the character will be someone they recognize. “I’m not going to mess with something that iconic,” he said.

As for his buff look, it’s just a lifestyle thing, and has been for quite a while, and it started back during his time on the HBO show OZ.

“I was not in good shape at all,” he said. “I was overweight and soft and here I am playing the head of the Aryan Brotherhood in this maximum-security prison in the first-ever HBO original drama and I was watching the first season when it came out and I just thought, ‘Wow, I don’t believe this guy at all. I have to get my a– to the gym and be a believable hard-a–.’”

His sleeker look can be seen in his award-winning role in Whiplash, and it’s something he intends to keep up with going forward, regardless of what role he’s currently in.

“Those were shot at the end of April. I’m huge now!” Simmons joked.