The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Golden Globe- and Primetime Emmy-winner Jeffrey Wright (
Westworld) is currently in talks to join Robert Pattinson (
Tenet) in Matt Reeves' highly-anticipated
The Batman as one of the Caped Crusader's most trusted and loyal allies, Commissioner James Gordon.
Wright is the latest to step into the iconic Jim Gordon role, following Ben McKenzie (
Gotham), Academy Award-winner J.K. Simmons (
Justice League), Academy Award-winner Gary Oldman (
Batman Begins,
The Dark Knight,
The Dark Knight Rises), Pat Hingle (
Batman,
Batman Returns,
Batman Forever,
Batman & Robin) and Neil Hamilton ('60s
Batman).
His casting would also seem to confirm that the live-action DC Films universe has essentially been given a soft reboot by the studio, as now neither Ben Affleck nor J.K. Simmons will be returning to the parts they most recently played in 2017 in Zack Snyder's
Justice League.
UPDATE: Variety is reporting that 2x Academy Award-nominee Jonah Hill (
The Wolf of Wall Street) is in talks for a villain role, and according to
Collider, it sounds like he's being eyed to play The Riddler - and not The Penguin - although it's still unconfirmed at this point.
Hill's deal hasn't been finalized just yet, so it's best to tread with caution for now as talks could still fall apart.
Reeves will direct
The Batman from his own script. He'll also serve as a producer alongside frequent collaborator Dylan Clark (
War for the Planet of the Apes).
The Batman is expected to hit theaters on June 25, 2021.