JK Simmons ditches Spider-Man’s web for Gotham

So maybe it’s time to start taking DC’s superhero cinematic universe seriously?

For my issues with the Sam Raimi trilogy of Spider-Man films — a nearly mute Spider-Man topping the list — J.K. Simmons’ J. Jonah Jameson was perfect. Absolutely one of the best all time comic book to live action performances ever perfect. Simmons was so outstanding Marc Webb didn’t even bother trying to cast anyone else in the role for his two Amazing Spider-Man films.

With Marvel and Sony rebooting Spider-Man, fans have been clamoring for Simmons to reprise his role. Earlier this month at the Spirit Awards, Simmons was asked about a petition to get him back as JJJ. While he didn’t think the petition would accomplish much, he did tease: “Dong those movies with Sam was one of the great joys of my career, and it was a super fun character…so I’ll never close the door on anything.”

But now it appears Simmons has found a sweeter gig that puts him much more into action than banging on a desk complaining about web heads and deadlines. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Simmons will be joining Zack Snyder’s Justice League movie where he’ll be starring as longtime Batman ally Commissioner Gordon.

That’s another coup for the DC cinematic universe, which is racking up Oscar winners with Jeremy Irons (1991 Best Actor for Reversal of Fortune) as Alfred and Ben Affleck (2013 Best Picture for Argo). THR reports in the rumored Batman standalone film, Affleck might direct a glimpse back of the earlier iteration of this current version of the DCU Batman.