There was some big news about Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman on Monday with the announcement that Westworld star Jeffrey Wright is in negotiations to play Commissioner Jim Gordon in the film. The news about Wright came as a big surprise for DC fans, though not an unwelcome one. Soon after the announcement fans began to flood social media with excitement at the news with many fully on board with what Wright will bring to the role.
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The role of Commissioner Gordon was most recently played by J.K. Simmons in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Gary Oldman across Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy. Wright taking on the character marks a bit of a departure from both of those castings in that it will see the character portrayed as a person of color on the big screen for the first time, something that many on social media were excited for, especially for how it opens the doors for further representation within the Bat family — particularly with a non-white Batgirl.
Other fans noted Wright’s acting talent as being a major reason for excitement. Wright won both an Emmy and a Tony for his portrayal of Norman “Belize” Arriaga in HBO’s Angels in America and the Tony Kushner play of the same name respectively. Wright’s other credits include Syriana, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and The Hunger Games: Catching Fire in terms of film and Boardwalk Empire and the previously mentioned Westworld on television. He also has a few other projects making their way to screen soon with Netflix’s The Laundromat hitting theaters on September 27, The Goldfinch currently in theaters, and the upcoming James Bond film No Time to Die expected in theaters April 8, 2020.
Want to see how fans are reacting to news of Wright as Commissioner Gordon? Read on and be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
We’ll take it.
Jeffery Wright as Commissioner Gordon 🤔 I’ll take it! pic.twitter.com/iCi0Og3ziH
— Gio Marte (@greenglider92) September 23, 2019
Liking the change
When you look at the main bat family, it’s pretty white. I like the change. And Jeffery Wright is exactly the caliber of actor I hoped this movie would have.
— Alex Weikle 🏳️🌈 (@AlexWeikle) September 23, 2019
Distinctive voice
Not only is this a great casting, but Jeffery Wright has a very distinct voice. Can hear him saying “he’s a silent guardian, a watchful protector, a dark knight”
— T’Dylan (@djclubberlang) September 23, 2019
Talented
Jeffery Wright is talented as fuck. Even when I didn’t get Westworld, he was goddamned good.
— Chris Vittoe (@TheChrisVittoe) September 23, 2019
Perfect casting
I never thought of Jeffery Wright playing Commissioner Gordon before but now it’s all I can think about! He’d be such a perfect casting! I hope this is true 🤞
— ◤◢◤◢ SHIN Z▲C ◤◢◤◢ (@Squidgy_Pidgey) September 23, 2019
DCCU stan now
And JEFFERY WRIGHT? I’m now a DCCU stan
— CJ Paschall (@cjpaschall) September 23, 2019
What does this mean for Barbara Gordon?
We have a black Commissioner Gordon, which gives us a black Barbara Gordon, which gives us a black Batgirl. We have truly won today. https://t.co/VAtWKtwEDo
— ig: nonchalantz (@nonchalantz1) September 23, 2019
Amazing performances
From Peoples to Commissioner Gordon!!!!! Peep his resume he is one of the greatest actors out there. Every performance is amazing. @jfreewright is amazing. https://t.co/BqKpMm2mbU
— Preston Wilson (@PrestonWilson44) September 23, 2019
Phenomenal casting
Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner Gordon is phenomenal casting. Anyone who complains about it is just looking for another reason to complain.#TheBatman pic.twitter.com/ViAJJ2GBrA
— David Wilson (@davidpockets90) September 23, 2019
Sign me up.
Jefferey Wright as Commissioner Gordon in The Batman? Sign me up
— Brett Smith (@BrettSm05770193) September 23, 2019
