THE BATMAN Star Jeffrey Wright Responds To "F*cking Racist And Stupid" Backlash To His Jim Gordon Casting

THE BATMAN Star Jeffrey Wright Responds To "F*cking Racist And Stupid" Backlash To His Jim Gordon Casting

Jeffrey Wright has fired back at those who had an issue with him landing the role of Commissioner Jim Gordon in Matt Reeves' The Batman, calling the negative response "absent all logic."

By MarkCassidy - Sep 03, 2025 11:09 AM EST
Filed Under: The Batman

The Batman star Jeffrey Wright has responded to the backlash he received when he was cast in the role of Commissioner Jim Gordon in Matt Reeves' DC Comics movie.

During a recent interview with Collider, the Academy Award-nominee discussed the negative reaction from some fans who felt that the Dark Knight's longtime friend and ally should be played by a Caucasian actor, since the character has always been depicted as being white on the page.

“I really find it fascinating the ways in which there’s such a conversation, and I think even more of a conversation now, about Black characters in these roles,” Wright said. “It’s just so f*cking racist and stupid. It’s just so blind in a way that I find revealing to not recognize that the evolution of these films reflects the evolution of society, that somehow it’s defiling this franchise not to keep it grounded in the cultural reality of 1939 when the comic books were first published. It’s just the dumbest thing. It’s absent all logic.”

Wright then noted that one of the reasons Batman has endured as such a vital part of popular culture for some many years is because he was created to be “open-ended,” allowing for various different interpretations of the character and his world.

“I feel that I own these stories as much as anyone. Perhaps now, because I’m a part of them, I have the most skin in the game,” he added. “[Batman creators] Bob Kane and Bill Finger are two Jewish guys up in the Bronx, imagining heroes and villains in a city that looked like the city around them at the time, but I think what they imagined was open-ended. I think that the success and the longevity of these stories and characters are owing to the openness of their imaginations and what they created.”

Though there is always a certain amount of backlash when any role is "race-swapped" and we're sure Wright did experience some negativity when he landed the part, we actually don't recall seeing that much outrage online when it was announced that he would be playing Gordon.

Wright is set to reprise the role for The Batman - Part II, and recently revealed that he had received the script.

We still know very little about The Batman - Part II, but there have been rumors that plot rumors that Hush and/or Mr. Freeze could end up being the villains. There doesn't seem to be much to these reports, but based on previous comments from Reeves, there is a good chance that the movie will have a winter setting.

In addition to Robert Pattinson, everyone from the first film (with the likely exception of Paul Dano's Riddler) is expected to return, along with some characters from The Penguin.

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XelCorp
XelCorp - 9/3/2025, 11:06 AM
I wonder which hit dogs are about to holler 😂😂😂
DS616
DS616 - 9/3/2025, 12:09 PM
@XelCorp - How exactly does race play a role in the character of Iron Fist?
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 9/3/2025, 11:07 AM
Even more reason to NOT watch the sequel. These egotistical actors really can't help themselves. No one CARES about your opinion. You're just losing potential viewers everytime you say idiotic stuff like this.

Reboot the MCU and DCU
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 9/3/2025, 11:14 AM
@WalletsClosed - But what if one of the actors involved with those rebooted universes has an opinion you don't agree with? Reboot again? Keep rebooting until ClosedWallet is happy that every actor shares his take on everything.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/3/2025, 11:22 AM
@WalletsClosed - Anthony Hopkins - “You really shouldn’t listen to actors, we’re not very smart.”
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 9/3/2025, 11:25 AM
@WalletsClosed - the reason not to watch the sequel is because the first one is an overrated piece of shit.
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 9/3/2025, 11:28 AM
@MarkCassidy - I'd be fine with that, as long as i'd be getting good movies. The thing is, we're constantly getting terrible ones. My opinion is just that, my opinion. But i'm not racist for wanting comic book characters to look how they are in the comics. And it's insulting to suggest that, therefore there will obviously be backlash. The funny thing is, Wright wasn't even bad in the film. One of the more acceptable parts in my opinion. And from what I can remember, he didn't have that much backlash because most understood that it was an alternate universe/take on the character. Welp, now he's about to get the backlash he's looking for. It's like these people live in la la land
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 9/3/2025, 11:28 AM
@JacobsLadder - Of course, but I was at least going to sail the seas with this. Not anymore. I'm sure this will be terrible anyways
regularmovieguy
regularmovieguy - 9/3/2025, 12:47 PM
@WalletsClosed

"It's like these people live in la la land"

Pot calling the kettle, lmao.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/3/2025, 11:17 AM
I’m sure there was some backlash to Wright’s casting as Gordon since there always is to one degree or another on “race-swapping” characters but I don’t remember it being as pronounced as some others recently though I could be wrong.

He is right though in that the constant reinterpretation and/or reimagining if these characters is what keeps them fresh & relevant imo (alongside good stories of course) because if we kept getting the same thing over & over again then the comic book genre may never have flourished…

Hell , even comic creators do their own takes & versions of these characters in the “main continuities” and other labels such as Ultimate & Absolute so why not let the creatives behind these film & tv projects do the same?.

Anyway , I liked Jeffrey Wright’s Gordon and I am looking forward to seeing him again in the Batman Part 2!!.

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Steel86
Steel86 - 9/3/2025, 11:37 AM
@TheVisionary25 - Very well said. Something so many just dismiss is that these characters where created in a time that 99% of all the characters are white. Not only does that not represent today but also is a disservice to all the great actors out there.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 9/3/2025, 11:40 AM
@Steel86 - agreed.

If you had these great actors on the basis of their skin color and such not be able to play these characters then that’s a waste because you might turn away something truly great.
SteviesRightFoo
SteviesRightFoo - 9/3/2025, 11:18 AM
He was good casting but is it really racist to want the characters to look as they are described/drawn in the comics?
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/3/2025, 11:21 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - Anytime you disagree with the Left it’s “Racist” or you’re a Nazi. Marxist 101, shut down all opposing arguments.
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 9/3/2025, 11:22 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - No it's not. Black dude here. We keep having this same argument. It sounds good on the surface. Oh that's from the 30s, It's outdated. So let's change it. Sure the studio can create some new, but why? It's easier to change it up and call whoever doesn't like it racist or sexist.
Steel86
Steel86 - 9/3/2025, 11:28 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - No it is not but I will say this. What is your reasoning for not liking the casting. If it is what you stated that is perfectly logical and ok but unfortunately there is alot of hate speech and hate because of race thrown at this actors and directors. You can read it in comments on this site and others. And its not just lumped in one like some commenters have stated.
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 9/3/2025, 11:29 AM
@Steel86 - "What is your reasoning for not liking the casting."

Because he doesn't look like the Jim Gordon of the comics
Rpendo
Rpendo - 9/3/2025, 11:58 AM
@WalletsClosed - lol

Whiny fanboy whines in public

Now sports
Matchesz
Matchesz - 9/3/2025, 11:59 AM
@SteviesRightFoo - it’s not racist
Patient2670
Patient2670 - 9/3/2025, 12:16 PM
@SteviesRightFoo - Honestly? I don't think it's racist to want these characters to resemble their original counterparts, or for say, their most identifiable traits to be portrayed. But when you have a guy like Wright, a great actor who did in fact portray those traits, getting backlash solely due to his skin tone, that's the problem. Look at Keanu Reeves as Constantine. There is almost nothing (other than his skin tone) about that portrayal that resembles the original comics, but people have been begging for the sequel for 20 years now.
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 9/3/2025, 12:18 PM
@SteviesRightFoo - I dont think so. Is it racist to want Snape to look like he's described in the book? I dont think so. Comics are books that replace some of the words with images. They are describing what everyone looks like with more detail. some people just want it to come right off the page. If they cast a fat guy as batman would that be fatphobia? If they cast superman as a little redhead and jimmy as woman is that too far? would we be okay if rightwing is cast as a bald man? it has nothing to do with race and only wanting it to be portrayed how its described on the page. The only reason they change the character in the first place is because they want to widen the market to the most people. reasoning being that people are more likely to watch something when they can relate and see themselves in the film. Is it bad to try to represent more people, no of course not. Oscars have representation rules if you want to be eligible as does other awards. Could they make a new character? yeah but obviously a known IP like batman is a much safer investment. It comes down to money. Again, yes there are some people that are just racist, but im displeased when bruce has brown hair instead of black... and I have brown hair
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 9/3/2025, 12:20 PM
@NonPlayerC - nightwing bald*
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 9/3/2025, 12:36 PM
@SteviesRightFoo - That wasn't an issue when Eartha Kitt was Catwoman or Cesar Romero was The Joker in Adam West's Batman. If a character being a certain skin color or ethnicity is integral to their character then there should be no "race swap" as what you people call it.
Ghoul
Ghoul - 9/3/2025, 12:40 PM
@DarthOmega - I like that take a lot! I get the desire to fast track the popularity by using an established character, and honestly I don’t think Gordon’s race defines anything about his character so that one works great he was phenomenal casting! But Batman himself comes from a certain perspective so changing it would affect the perception of who they are. And creating new characters with different backgrounds can work if written well, just look at Miles Morales or even Jon Stewart. Great characters without forcing anything.
DarthOmega
DarthOmega - 9/3/2025, 12:57 PM
@Ghoul - And the weird part is, I didn't see anyone angry at Gordon being black. Granted I didn't scour every dark corner of the Internet looking for it like some of these entertainment journalists do in search of a story. But I didn't see any widespread push back to his casting. He's a phenomenal actor. Imo he was wasted on Gordon. Both he and Bruce seemed clueless in that film. They had penguin spelling it out to them.

Jon is the best Lantern in my opinion. He's not just a white Hal. He has his own lane and he is a part of many lanterns. That works. Having a black version of Cap or a black female version of Iron Man is just lazy pandering. Especially since Falcon was a much better character and much more likeable. He went from a charming hero to a finger wagging scold. That's what happens when you use characters as an avatar for an ideology.
fosdog
fosdog - 9/3/2025, 11:19 AM
It's crazy that we still live in such a closed minded society, that when someone from comics is race swapped, people lose their ever loving minds and show how racist people still are. Oh, and don't get it twisted, I believe the racism runs rampant on both sides of the white and black color spectrum, and other races as well. Don't get me wrong, when they make a black Superman, Batman, Flash, or Wonder Woman, I may raise an eyebrow, but I won't care because these characters are fictional and can be whatever color those in charge of the properties want them to be. It will be strange because that is how I have always seen them on the page, but it won't hurt my feelings. The same with gender/sexuality swapping. Crazy thing is, I have the choice to watch it or not, and if it's something I don't care for, I will just choose not to watch, or read. Just this ol' boy's opinion.
HistoryofMatt
HistoryofMatt - 9/3/2025, 11:27 AM
@fosdog - When it only ever goes in one direction, what would that be called?
HistoryofMatt
HistoryofMatt - 9/3/2025, 12:26 PM
@fosdog - The answer to your last is threefold:

1. They're lazy

2. They have no talent to be able to create something new.

3. They are Woke zealots looking to tear down everything that came before them, so they steal established characters, always white, and swap race and/or gender to "decolonize" the medium so they can go to all their Woke friends and say, "Look what I did," in service of their Woke religion.
NonPlayerC
NonPlayerC - 9/3/2025, 12:42 PM
@fosdog - Reasonable position. My opinion is that I just like things to be how they are described in the page. I was annoyed when they cast tom cruise as jack reacher (had a hard time not picturing tom cruise when I read the next book, very distracting). They should make a good cyborg movie or try to make Static one of the big league heroes. (Icon could work but he's a lot like superman, an original backstory is better) The problem is is batman is just a safer investment. I do think we are getting to the point where they are gonna gamble on more heroes. We have gotten antman and blue beetle movies. Black panther has shown a black hero can make money. A miles morales Spiderman is just a matter of time. Again its a little disappointing when they do it, but people do freak out more than they should.
Bucky74
Bucky74 - 9/3/2025, 11:19 AM
I’m generally against race and gender swaps no matter what (I’m mostly a comic purest that way and wouldn’t want a white or Asian Blade either), but for supporting characters who are as brilliant as he is it works (he’s an incredible actor and his voice is fantastic). Criticism isn’t racist and wanting your comic characters to look like their classic versions isn’t either. That said, he was great in this so it’s a non issue.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 9/3/2025, 12:38 PM
@Bucky74 - And it's an elseworld story. Not every Commissioner Gordon will look identical to one another. Look at how many different Bruce Wayne's exist across each elseworld.
JacobsLadder
JacobsLadder - 9/3/2025, 11:24 AM
The dude is a clown. He's in a daily battle against Mark Ruffalo for Hollywood's biggest twat. Good actor though. Didn't give two shits he was cast as Jim Gordon. No more than when MCD played Kingpin. Just do a good job. Otherwise, [frick] off.
Odekahn
Odekahn - 9/3/2025, 11:27 AM
I don’t think there would be as much backlash if the race swaps weren’t generally one sided. White to black, you’re racist if you don’t like it. Black to white, that’s racist casting.

Smdh double standards are the only standards the left has.
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 9/3/2025, 11:33 AM
@Odekahn - I remember the backlash this dude got for originally be casted to play that werecheetah from that awful hellboy reboot, so much so that he ended up stepping down. When was the last time we had a black actor step down from playing a white character? It only goes one way with these people.
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HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 9/3/2025, 11:28 AM
Trying flipping the roles buddy, you wouldn't like it if it was the other way round either.
TheJok3r
TheJok3r - 9/3/2025, 11:28 AM
He was arguably the best Gordon we've gotten on screen.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 9/3/2025, 11:32 AM
@TheJok3r - he was written like a moron. At least Oldman had good writing bolstering his char.
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 9/3/2025, 11:34 AM
@TheJok3r - How? what made him better than Gary Oldman's Gordon?
TheHellblazer
TheHellblazer - 9/3/2025, 11:42 AM
@HashTagSwagg - He actually had a personality, for one thing. Oldman had the Gordon look down 100%,but his characterization was milquetoast.

Thats just my humble opinion.
WalletsClosed
WalletsClosed - 9/3/2025, 11:52 AM
@TheHellblazer - What personality? Saying Jesus every 5 minutes?
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